Truth

Michael: Nikita!!!

Nikita stops and turns around to look at him.

Nikita: What's up?

Michael: We have some down time, would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?

Nikita: What's the catch?

Michael: No catch. Just thought that we could spend some time together.

Nikita: Come on Michael, you expect me to believe that you just want to spend some time with me after all this time has passed since Lyon?

Michael: There's something that I need to discuss with you.

Nikita: What's that?

Michael: I'll tell you over dinner. I'll pick you up at 8pm tonight, be ready.

Nikita: Will this be fancy or dress down?

Michael: Dress nice.

Michael turns and walks away. Nikita wonders what Michael is up to as she finishes her journey out of Section. When she gets home, she starts going through her wardrobe frantically trying to find the perfect thing to wear to dinner with Michael.

At 8pm, Michael knocks on Nikita's door. Nikita opens the door and is shocked to see him dressed in a tuxedo. He holds out a dozen white roses to her. Nikita notices what the true meaning of them is. White roses mean love contrary to popular belief. She does not say anything about that to Michael.

Nikita: Thank you Michael. Would you like to come in while I put these in water?

Michael: OK.

Michael steps in the door and looks Nikita over thoroughly.

Michael: You look gorgeous!

Nikita: Thank you.

Nikita: Pulling out all the stops are we?

Michael opens the door and looks around before meeting Nikita's playful gaze:

Michael: I thought it would be a nice change. Please, get in.

Nikita slid into the limo with a smile playing around the corners of her mouth. Michael closed the door behind her and entered from the opposite side and took the seat across from her:

Michael: Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?

He let his eyes travel slowly over her, taking in the deep emerald green of the dress she had chosen, a soft velvet that clung to her every curve with each movement she made. Just looking at her made his breath catch in his throat. She had swept her hair up and only let a few wispy tendrils fall to frame her face, which was presently glowing with happiness and something else, something he just couldn't put his finger on.

Nikita: Yes Michael. You have already told me that, earlier, before we even left my apartment!

With a small laugh she paid him a compliment as well:

Nikita: And might I add that you look quite handsome yourself tonight.

She let her eyes wander over him and took in the crisp white of his shirt front with the black studs, the sleek black tuxedo which made him look even more ruggedly handsome, if that was possible. And his eyes...his eyes...once she met them she was mesmerized...hypnotized...lost in the depths of them.

As they stared at each other in silence the limo moved slowly away from the curb and moved effortlessly into the evening traffic.

***

Meanwhile, back at Section, another drama was unfolding.

Madeline was working on some old files and updating records since they had some downtime. It was always hard to find the right time, so better now than never.

So engrossed in her work was she that she did not hear the door to her office slide open nor the entry of the person who suddenly appeared before her:

"Walter, What is it?” Madeline asks as she sits up straight, as Walter's behavior is starting to bother her.

"I allowed some of Section's limos out for the night.” Walter says as he touches the chair with his hands.

"That is normal procedure when we have down time.” Madeline says and Walter turns his head and looks away.

"I did a scan on one, just to check.. Well..." Walter says and Madeline smiles softly.

"Check that the date was going well?” Madeline asks and Walter nods his head.

"Yes.... And during the scan... I found something.” Walter says and Madeline tilts her head.

"In the conversation?” Madeline asks, as she knows how much Walter eavesdrops.

"No... I wish it was.” Walter says deeply and Madeline stands up.

"Walter, what is going on?” Madeline asks tensely.

"There were explosives planted.” Walter says and Madeline walks to him and stares at him.

"Once it was outside or did it leave with them?” Madeline asks and Walter shakes his head.

"Who has the limo? Which of our operatives will be in mandatory refusal?" Madeline asks.

"Michael..." Walter says and Madeline takes a deep breath.

"And Nikita..." Madeline says and Walter nods his head.

**** AT A FANCY HOTEL*****

Michael steps out of the limo and reaches for Nikita. There is a red carpet down and Nikita smiles at Michael. She looks around and is stunned by the events.

"How did you know this dream of mine?” Nikita asks and Michael stops and looks at her.

"Dream? What dream?” Michael asks and Nikita looks stunned.

BOOM!

Michael and Nikita are thrown to the ground as the limo explodes. Michael shakes his head, knowing that he and Nikita had been breached and now where in mandatory refusal. He looked down, and instantly knew that he could not separate from Nikita.

Nikita started to move in his arms. Thank God she wasn't hurt more.

He walked quickly to a nearby car and picked the lock. Soon they were on the road to find out who wanted them dead.

After an hour of driving in endless darkness, Nikita finally woke up.

"Michael?” Her voice was weak. Michael shook himself out of his reverie.

"Nikita? How are you feeling?” He looked at her then. Nikita saw something in his eyes she hadn't seen for awhile. Concern. And Worry.

Seeing her watch him closely, Michael looked back to the road.

"Just a little groggy that's all.” She looked down at her dress. It was torn. Her back hurt. "Well, looks like I won't be wearing this dress again," Nikita said with a smile.

"In the backseat are some clothes. You were out for awhile. The blanket you threw off 20 minutes after I put it over you."

Michael continued to look out onto the dark road.

"Thank you.” Nikita said with gratitude. She took the blanket from the backseat and huddled closer to him.

He put his arm around her.

"So, where are we going?” She asked.

"Michael, I've never been on mandatory refusal before. How do we know when it's safe to go back?"

Michael kept his gaze fixated on the road ahead. "When they tell us it's safe."

"What do we do until then?"

"We wait."

This answer did not satisfy Nikita. "That's all? We wait?"

"We wait, and we go back over the situation based on what we saw happen and try to help in whatever way we can by working on it from this end."

"With no communication or help from Section."

Michael fell silent for a moment. "And we try to stay alive."

"What do you mean?"

Michael glanced at her quickly, then averted his eyes to conceal his uncertainty. "Whoever set the bomb knew we would be using that limousine tonight. We may be selected targets. Or it may just be a random attack on Section. We can't be sure either way. But for now we need to act on the possibility that someone may be tracking us."

"So what do we do?"

Michael's face set itself in grim determination. "We wait."

An hour later, Michael turned off the road and drove deep into the woods for another forty-five minutes. Nikita had fallen back asleep, and lay curled against the passenger-side door in fitful slumber. As the car's wheels hit the first patch of tangled roots and rock lining the forest floor, the car jarred her awake.

She said nothing, just watched sullenly as the trees loomed before them and the car's headlights sought out a safe path of travel.

Up ahead about two hundred feet was an old, abandoned, one-room log cabin; it's roof partially sunken and covered with moss. The windows were boarded up, and it looked as if no one had lived there for at least twenty years.

As she stood up, with the blanket still draped over her shoulders, her knees suddenly gave way on her. Michael, having reacted quickly, caught Nikita, and pulled her against him, helping her to support her weight. Nikita, shaking her head, and trying to regain her balance, leaned into Michael.

Nikita: Wow...

Michael: Nikita...are you okay?

A worried look crossed over Michael’s features, and the look made Nikita’s heart skip a moment.

Nikita: I think so...just a little more tired than I thought.

As Nikita began to pull back from Michael, and tried to proceed to walk toward the house, Michael stopped her. He leaned over, and placing one arm around her back, and the other under the backs of her legs, he lifted her into his arms.

Nikita: Michael! This is really not necessary...I can walk on my own.

Michael only looked ahead, and proceeded toward the house. As they came to the door, Nikita leaned over, still in Michael’s firm embrace, and turned the knob on the door. After a firm nudge by Michael’s foot, the door creaked open on it rusty hinges, revealing a dark and musty smelling interior.

Carrying Nikita over the threshold, Michael instructed Nikita to remove a lighter from his front shirt pocket and light it. As she did, and the tiny light flickered and illuminated the room slightly, they noticed that the furnishings are very bare and sparse. Looking to the right-hand side of the cabin, Michael noticed a small cot, and walking over to it, gently sat Nikita down on the edge of it. As he stood up and moved away, Nikita pulled the blanket more snugly around her, having noticed the sudden absence of Michael’s body heat.

Michael walked across the cabin, and stopping at the old lopsided table, found what he was looking for. Picking up the old lantern, he blew the dust off of it, and proceeded to light it. After a few moments, he was successful in his endeavor, and a warm glow of light filled the cabin. Turning the lantern down a little, to where it projected just enough light to see by, Michael walked back over to Nikita. Placing the lantern on the floor next to the bed, Michael reached down, and took Nikita’s chin in his hand. Tilting her head up to him, he noticed that she had been silently crying.

Michael: Nikita...

Nikita turned away from Michael, so she would not have to look him in the eyes.

Nikita: I am sorry Michael...its just...I am so scared...and so cold...Michael looked around the cabin again, and found nothing with which to cover Nikita to keep her warm. Afraid that she was about to go into shock, Michael did the only thing he knew to do.

Michael, leaning over, began to remove the blanket from Nikita’s shoulders. As he did, she looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Then, after his gentle encouragement, she stood precariously on her feet. When she had steadied herself enough, and he was sure that she would not fall, he removed his hands from her shoulders, and began to unbutton the buttons of his shirt. After finishing that task, he untucked the shirt from his waistband of his pants, and began to remove it.

Nikita: Mi...Michael...what are you doing?

Michael looked deeply into Nikita’s eyes, as he slipped his shirt from his shoulders, and let it fall to the floor.

Michael: You are in danger of going into shock...if you are not kept warm. It is too dangerous to start a fire in the fireplace...the smoke might be seen...so we have to improvise.

Nikita, suddenly realizing what Michael was saying, couldn't help from raising her eyebrows in astonishment and surprise.

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

Before Nikita could finish, Michael had grabbed the hem of her torn and tattered dress, and had proceeded to pull it up and over her head. Then, after removing his pants and shoes, Michael proceeded to lift Nikita, and place her onto the bed. Picking up the blanket that they had taken from the car, Michael laid it over Nikita, then proceeded to slide into the bed next to her.

Wrapping his arms around Nikita, and pulling her close, Michael couldn't help but let out a slight sigh. As Nikita moved up against Michael, contouring her body to his, she laid her head on his chest, and listening to his heartbeat, began to cry again.

Michael, feeling the wetness of Nikita’s tears falling on his chest, pulled his head back, and looked down at Nikita.

Michael: Nikita...

Nikita moved her head so that she could see Michael. As the soft light from the lantern played across his features, she thought that he was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen.

Nikita: Michael.. I am scared...

Michael pulled Nikita more tightly against him, and looked longingly into her eyes.

Michael: I will protect you Nikita...and find out a way to keep us safe.

Nikita smiled. As she did, she raised her hand, and with her index finger, softly traced the line of Michael’s jaw. As she brought her finger to rest on his chin, she could feel Michael tense and his muscles tighten. As his breaths became short and ragged, she couldn't help but smile at the reaction her touch evoked in him.

Michael: Nikita...

All at once, Michael pulled away. Nikita tried to pull him back, but he wouldn't move. "Michael?" she asked. Michael turned to her and put his finger over her mouth. Then he leaned in close to her and whispered in her ear. "I heard something outside. Sounded like a twig snapping. I will have to check it out.” Nikita hadn't heard anything and she wasn't buying it.

"Michael, is you don't want to do this, just say so. I'm not going to turn into a basket case.” Michael knew that she was angry. He wasn't really thrilled at this particular moment either. He reached up and caressed the side of her face. "Kita, I'm sorry. It's not that I don't want to. I really did hear something out there. We are in mandatory refusal. Someone tried to kill us. We have to be on guard.” Nikita watched his eyes. She could always tell if he was lying to her by watching his eyes. He had looked directly into her eyes when speaking, so she knew he was telling the truth. "I'm sorry, Michael. It's just that, well, we never have any time alone like this anymore. Add to that, the fact that I'm scared to death, and well, I just overreacted. Forgive me?"

Michael smiled at her. He knew how she felt. "Of course," he answered and then leaned down and brushed his lips across hers one last time. "I'm going to go out and check around the cabin. You stay here.” Nikita did not like that idea at all. "No way, Michael. If you go out there, I'm going with you. Someone has to watch your back. If something or someone gets you, then I'm sunk. Besides, what if they lure you outside and then come in here and attack me?” Michael didn't want to listen to her. He wanted her safe inside the cabin, but she had a point. "Fine. Put on those clothes I picked up for you on the way up here. And I have your weapon in my bag."

Once they were dressed, Michael and Nikita very slowly and quietly left the cabin through the back door. Apparently this door hadn't been as exposed to the weather as the front door ... it didn't make a sound as they left. They walked once around the cabin and saw nothing. Then they headed for the woods behind the cabin.

Meanwhile, back at Section...

Birkoff: "Michael and Nikita are in mandatory refusal."

Ops: "What do you mean? What is going on?"

Madeline: "Michael took Nikita out for dinner in one of Section's limousines. Too late, Walter discovered that someone had planted explosives in the limo. According to local news sources, the limo exploded in front of the restaurant. A few bystanders saw a couple matching Michael and Nikita's description get out of the limo right before it exploded. After a few minutes, Michael apparently picked up Nikita who was unconscious and stole a car."

Ops: "Why wasn't I informed of this sooner? Do we know who planted the explosives?"

Walter: "Not yet. I'm working on it. However, I could use Birkoff's help."

Operations was pacing back and forth like a caged animal. He couldn't believe this. There was a mission ready to go that needed Michael and Nikita and they were off in Mandatory Refusal. Someone was going to pay for this.

Nikita: Michael!

Michael turns around quickly only to find that he's too late. Seeing who the captor is, Michael puts his gun down.

Michael: Let her go.

James: No! She's going to die just like you let Simone die!

Michael: I didn't let Simone die. It was an accident.

James: It was an accident that could have been prevented by you! You killed her! Now I'm gonna kill her!

Michael: Nikita has nothing to do with this, let her go.

James: She has everything to do with this! You killed my sister by claiming that you loved her! Nikita's the one that you love now! She has to die! Just like Simone died!

Michael: I did love Simone James. I did not want to see her die anymore than you did.

James: You lie!

Michael: No. I am not lying. I did love Simone.

James: You are betraying her memory by being with Nikita! Tell me you don't love Nikita!

Michael: I can't tell you that James. I am not betraying her memory. She would want me to move on.

James: No! You can't do that!

Michael: James, calm down. You are not doing anybody any good.

Nikita rolls away and starts patting the ground in search of Michael's discarded weapon. As her hand slides through the grass it strikes the handle of the gun and she grabs it and slowly takes aim on the men as they continue to wrestle each other for their very lives.

Just as Nikita takes aim on James' knee to topple him away from Michael, James breaks free from Michael's hold and backs away with his gun trained on Michael's chest:

James: This isn't over Mikey-boy. I will have the last laugh yet.

With a crazed gleam in his eye he spins towards Nikita and takes aim:

Michael: NO!!!!

Nikita: Michael!!

With a loud yell Michael leaps in front of the gun just as James pulls the trigger. The bullet finds its mark and Michael falls to the ground at James' feet. James looks down at him with disgust and raises his gun for the coup de grace. Nikita snaps out of the shock that has enveloped her and raises her weapon and empties the rounds into James without blinking.

She drops the gun and rushes to Michael's side.....

Nikita: Michael??

"You aren't hurt badly, Mikey boy..." the female's voice says as she pulls Michael up. Michael had gotten shot clean through the shoulder. It was going to hurt, but not as bad as Nikita.

"Who are you?” Michael asks as the female looks at Nikita and pulls at her bag.

"My name is Amber.” Amber says and Michael takes a sharp breath.

"Yes.. Jurgen's trainee until Nikita arrived back... and took his heart and his life away from me..." Amber says and Michael stares at her. He knew that Nikita was already close to shock, and he didn't know the extent of Nikita's injuries and now, she was out cold.

"But she is going to suffer.” Amber says as she pulls out a needle. Michael stares at it.

"I bet you she has some internal bleeding by now... a blood thinner won't help that..." Amber says and Michael stares at her, not knowing what to do.

**** MEANWHILE *****

"Walter... what have you heard about the underground crew?” Birkoff asks as he walks into Walter's work area.

"That nasty bunch.. They are bad news for Section One..." Walter says and Birkoff drops a file onto Walter's table.

"James.... Simone's brother... and Amber..." Birkoff says and Walter looks up.

"Jurgen’s' play toy.” Walter says and he picks up the file.

"We better find out if Michael or Nikita still has a clock and find out where they are.” Walter says and Birkoff looks around.

"Walter... there are others on that list... all of them have a reason to hate either Michael or Nikita.” Birkoff says and Walter sighs.

Michael groaned. His vision was starting to get blurry. He knew that he had to stay awake for Nikita. She needed him. Amber brought the needle closer to him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nikita slowly waking up. Amber didn't notice.

Nikita woke up realizing that she was on wet grass. Then, it all came rushing back. She looked to her left and saw a woman with chestnut hair sticking a needle in Michael’s face. That was Amber.

Nikita rolled away from them quickly. It was too dark to find Michael’s gun. She found the next best thing: Amber's bag. Nikita took it and hid for cover behind a tree.

Michael tried to keep Amber occupied. "Amber, as I tried to explain to James, I did NOT kill Simone. She died with Hester, the leader of Glass Curtain, a year ago."

With her hand still on his bad shoulder, Amber spit in his face. She laughed richly. "Oh, I don't care about Simone, your crack-assed whore. All that matters to me is that Jurgen thought you killed her."

As Amber spoke, Nikita dug through her purse.

"He used to cry about Simone when he came to me. But I made him forget her. It didn't take long.” Amber spoke quietly, getting lost in the memory.

Nikita felt something hard, and long in the recesses of the bag. It was a gun. She checked it for bullets. Loaded.

Amber's voice grew colder now; "Jurgen stayed with me for a long time. He visited me. He loved me. Until," her voice grew louder, she started to turn around and bitterly continued, "That B-"

"You were saying?” Nikita came forward out of the darkness.

Amber's face looked panicked as she saw what Nikita was carrying.

"Shut up.” Nikita growled, waving the gun in her face.

"You're on mandatory refusal," Amber taunted. "You aren't getting any back-up, and your boy-toy is lying on the ground wounded. It's just you.... And me."

"Shut up.” Nikita repeated, her eyes darting to Michael for one brief second before flickering back on Amber's face. It was all the hesitation Amber needed. As she lunged for the gun, Michael brought his leg up in a swift kick to the back of her knees. Amber's leg buckled and she fell forward. The gun went off in Nikita's hand as she reacted, obviously startled by the sudden commotion. Amber crumpled to the ground before her.

Nikita dropped to her knees and inspected the damage. A bullet in the head; the girl was undoubtedly dead. She turned the corpse on its stomach so she didn't have to look at her face.

"Are you badly hurt?” Nikita asked, moving from the body towards Michael. She touched the wound tenderly. "We need to get you inside. Can you walk?"

"I think so," Michael nodded, wincing as Nikita helped him to his feet. Together they moved slowly towards the house.

"Michael," Nikita said softly. "I think we should leave. They know we're here..."

"We're in no shape to go anywhere tonight," Michael interrupted. "I'll make sure we're safe for the night. We'll leave tomorrow."

"YOU'LL make sure we're safe for the night?!?” Nikita asked incredulously. "Michael, you're in no position to walk by yourself, let alone defend us from attackers."

"We'll be alright.” Michael assured her softly. "We'll just have to be careful."

Nikita helped Michael to the cot, then careful bolted and locked both doors to the cabin. She placed two of the few chairs in the cabin under each doorknob to prevent anyone from entering from the outside, and then turned to tend to Michael's wound.

"Does it hurt very badly?” Nikita asked, touching him lightly near the blood-soaked entry. Michael drew in a sharp breath, his forehead damp with perspiration.

She looked up at him and tenderly brushed the damp tendrils from his brow. "Michael, I'm so sorry..."

Michael gently cupped her face in his hand and looked into her eyes, searchingly. "Sorry, Nikita? For what?"

Just as Nikita was ready to speak, Michael moaned suddenly, and started shaking his head back and forth. Nikita, not knowing what the trigger of the movement was, shifted closer to Michael, and leaned towards him.

Nikita: Michael...what’s wrong?

Michael only stared at the ceiling, his face as pale as the moon in the sky. She had never seen him look so pale, and she knew it was from an usually large amount of blood loss. Michael did not answer her, and suddenly began shivering uncontrollably all over. As Nikita placed her hand to his forehead, she did not like what she found. Michael was raging with a fever...a very high fever... and she had no idea if he had any other complications on top of that.

Getting up and walking around the cabin, Nikita searched for some water. She was hoping to clean up the wound a little, and maybe aid the fever in coming down, but she found none. Thinking that maybe there may be something of use outside, she started to move the chair away from the door, when Michael called out.

Michael: NO!!!

Nikita jumped in her skin, as she turned around suddenly from the door, to look at Michael. He was thrashing around violently on the bed, in a vain attempt to stand up. Nikita rushed over to him, and with everything she had, pushed him back down on the bed. As she did, she noticed that the wound was bleeding profusely again. Knowing that Michael could not afford to lose anymore blood, Nikita reached down and tore a strip of fabric from her tattered dress hem. Then, folding it up, she placed it under Michael’s shirt, and pressed firmly against the wound. When she did, Michael cried out in pain, but kept his eyes closed. She could tell from the way he winced, and the way his body trembled, that he was in an extraordinary amount of pain. But, she told herself that it could not be helped.... What she did now...although it may cause him pain...was in an effort to save his life.

After a few moments, Michael’s trembling calmed down, and his face took on an appearance of relief. Feeling of Michael’s head, and finding that the fever still raged within his body, Nikita removed the make-shift bandage, noticing that the bleeding had slowed...and she let out a sigh of relief. As she tore another strip from her hem, and moved to try to better clean to wound up, she looked at Michael. He looked as angelic as the first time she had seen him. He looked so innocent and untouched...but she knew this to be untrue.

Thinking that maybe she needed to finish telling what she had kept from him, she spoke.

Nikita: Michael, I don't know if you can hear me or not.... But there is something I need to tell you.

Nikita continued to wipe at the wound, and looking at Michael...for any sort of sign that what she was saying was getting through. When she saw none, she looked up, and glanced around the room.

Now she knew he was delirious. Michael was not one to admit his feelings to anyone. And to admit that he loved her ... well, she didn't even want to go there. However, it did make her realize just how serious their predicament was. Feeling his forehead one last time, and pushing back another stray strand of hair, she got up from the cot and started looking around. She saw Michael's backpack lying on the floor by the table. She hurried over to it and started searching through it. There was one change of clothes for him, another gun, some ammo, a flashlight, two comm units, but no first aid kit. Maybe, she thought, if I can make it to the car, there will be one in the car.

Taking one last look back at Michael, thinking he was still unconscious, she headed for the door. Just as she was about to open it, she heard Michael speak. "Kita, don't go out there. It isn't safe.” Nikita whirled around and looked at Michael. Finally she decided it was time to take charge. "Michael, look. You are seriously injured and you have a raging fever. You can't walk on your own. There doesn't seem to be any water in the place to clean you up or to help bring down your fever. We need to get out of here and get you some help. I'm not going to sit here and let you die if there is a chance there is a first aid kit in that car!"

Michael knew she was only trying to help, but he couldn't let her do it." Listen to me, Nikita. There will be more people besides James and Amber after us. I don't know how, but I just know there will be. I won't let you go out there alone. Besides, it probably won't be long before they target this cabin and try to blow us up or burn us out. Just let me rest a little longer and then we'll leave together."

Nikita couldn't believe what she was hearing. How did he expect to get out of here? He couldn't even walk! "Michael, don't be ridiculous. I'm going to get the comm units out of your bag and contact Section. They can send help.” Michael had to stop her. It took all his strength, but he actually managed to sit up. "Nikita no. You can't do that. We don't know who all at Section is involved in this. We can't trust anyone but each other. Now please, just calm down. I'll be okay. Just let me rest a few more minutes. By the way, you were getting reading to tell me something before I passed out. You might as well go ahead and tell me now."

Back at Section....

Operations had taken just about all he could take. He made his way down to Birkoff's station and asked, "Do we have any information yet? Why is this taking so long?"

Walter saw Operations heading toward Birkoff and decided he better get there too. Birkoff didn't need to take all the heat on this one. "We're working as fast as we can," Walter answered. "Well, apparently it's not fast enough!” Operations snapped. "Do we have anything, anything at all about who is after them? I can't hold off the Lisbon mission much longer. I need them here now!” Madeline walked up as Operations was finishing his tirade.

"We have been checking all tapes of the limo service area. We have narrowed it down to five different possibilities. It takes time to check things out thoroughly," she responded. Operations swung around and glared at her. "We don't have time. Bring them all in and start interrogations immediately. Use the White Room, the Containment Room ... use my office if you have to, but get it done! I want answers and I want them now!” With that, Operations stormed back to his office.

Madeline turned to Birkoff. "Please call in the five subjects. I will make preparations for the interrogations. Walter, please continue monitoring those tapes. If you find anything, I want to know about it immediately.” Just then Birkoff's monitor started beeping. He swung around to face the computer and hit a few keys. "What is it, Birkoff?" Madeline asked. "I'm not sure. It seems that James' and Amber's internal clocks have signaled there is a problem. They haven't moved from their locations for a while now. Not even a few feet. And it seems neither one of them have a heartbeat. Apparently they are both dead."

Madeline shook her head. "See what you can find out. Is this in some way connected to Michael and Nikita's disappearance? Or is it a separate thing altogether? Make this your second priority, next to finding Michael and Nikita. And keep me informed."

Back at the cabin...

Nikita was watching Michael closely. She could tell it was taking all his energy just to remain upright. He had to be in a tremendous amount of pain. She didn't know how he did it. Most people would be unconscious by now, but not Michael. He had such control over himself that he could will himself to stay awake even if it killed him. Now there was an irony.

Michael was waiting for Nikita to tell him whatever her secret was. He couldn't imagine what it would be. They didn't have a lot of time, but he wanted to know what was so important. Finally he spoke. "Just tell me, Nikita. It can't be that terrible."

Michael: Nikita be careful!

Nikita: I'll be fine, you get back into bed!

Michael: You are not going out there alone!

Nikita: You're not in any shape to fend of any attackers! Someone has to protect us!

Michael: I will guard your back from the doorway then.

Nikita: No. You get back into that bed now!

Michael: I do not take orders from you. We're wasting time.

Nikita turned to the door and started to remove the chair from the handle when it started turning back and forth from the outside.

Nikita held out her gun toward the door and swung it open quickly to find another one of Jurgen's groupies. Before the attacker could do anything, Nikita had her pinned down on the floor. Nikita removed the mask to reveal Marcy.

Marcy: How did you know I was here?

Nikita: You're no where near done with your training.

Marcy: You b*$%h!

Michael: Watch your mouth! What are you doing here? How did you know where we were?

Marcy: It's not hard to figure out where you'd take Nikita! You're so predictable!

Michael: Why are you here?

Marcy: This little w&^%e deserves to die for what she did!

Michael: What are you talking about Marcy?

Marcy: She hasn't told you?

Michael: Told me what?

Nikita: Nevermind.

Nikita pulls Marcy up and drags her out of the door by her hair. Just as Nikita and Marcy exit the doorway, Marcy delivers a kick to Nikita's stomach freeing her from Nikita's hold. Marcy reached down and picked up the gun that she had lost when Nikita caught her by surprise with the door and aimed it directly at Nikita. Just as she was about to shoot, Michael shoots her square in the chest and she dies immediately.

Nikita gets up and walks towards the cabin brushing the snow off of herself as she walks. When she walks through the door, Michael confronts her.

Michael: I want to know what is going on and why everyone is accusing you of doing something now!

Nikita: Sit down Michael and I will tell you.

Michael sits down on the edge of the cot and Nikita begins to speak nervously.

Nikita: Michael, I don't know how to tell you this. I guess I had better come right out and say it. Michael, the reason why Madeline and Ops gave me the time off after Jurgen's death was because I was pregnant with his baby and they wanted me to get an abortion.

Michael: Did you?

Nikita: Yes. None of Jurgen's little "girlfriends" liked that idea because they wanted a piece of him to keep and mold into another him.

Michael looked at Nikita as a tear slipped down her cheek. He reached up and traced the salty path that it left behind with his finger.

Nikita closed her eyes and turned her face into his hand as he cupped her cheek and rubbed his thumb across her lower lip. He let his gaze fall to her mouth and he tried to lean forward to place a tender kiss on her mouth. He winced in pain and drew back to take a ragged breath.

Nikita pulled back and looked at him with concern:

Nikita: Michael? Are you alright?

She reached out to place a hesitant hand on his face and felt for a temp and she detected the slight cooling of his skin and noticed the sweat-dampened hair on his brow. The fever must be breaking.

She rose and went over to his backpack and looked through it more thoroughly and found a small flask of water. She returned to him and assisted him in taking a small drink of the cool liquid.

Michael handed the flask back to Nikita and lay back once again on the cot. He closed his eyes briefly to try and block out the pain and almost managed to succeed in this effort when Nikita asked him a question:

Nikita: Michael.... Marcy said she knew you would bring me here, and that you were predictable. Is there something I should know?

"Nikita, you had a head injury..." Michael says and Nikita nods her head and settles down lightly on the pillow, careful not to disturb Michael.

**** Back at Section****

"Madeline... we have a problem.” Birkoff says and Madeline walks over and looks at Birkoff.

"What is it this time, Birkoff?” Madeline asks and Birkoff looks at her.

"Walter just went into mandatory refusal too.” Birkoff says and Madeline stands up straight and stares at Birkoff.

"He was trying to locate the dead operatives... his internal clock?” Madeline asks and Birkoff looks at her.

"He has taken it out.” Birkoff says and Madeline shakes her head and walks away. She did not want to tell Operations.

**** AT THE CABIN ****

"I know Jurgen.. Lie.. I know.. It’s not your child.. But it is... It has to be.... I know... I know... but.. But.. But.. It’s not yours Jurgen... Only way to protect us.. I know.. I understand.... "Nikita mutters in her sleep and Michael looks at her tortured face with a frightened face of his own. He knows dreams, and they do not lie.

"IT'S NOT YOUR CHILD JURGEN!” Nikita screams out and Michael shakes her and then nudges her with the gun.

Nikita sits up like a caged animal and looks around. She knows what she was dreaming of and moves quickly away from Michael.

"Nikita... please tell me what you were dreaming of.” Michael says and Nikita looks away.

"I can't Michael.” Nikita says and Michael stares at her.

"The baby.. It wasn't Jurgen's... was it mine?” Michael asks and Nikita's face instantly tears up as she looks away." He was trying to protect us again... once you turned me away.. I couldn't tell you.. I just couldn't.. When I found out... I only had Jurgen to turn to... He said I had to tell Madeline and Operations that it was his... and I did..." Nikita says as she turns her head away and Michael stares at her in utter shock. He didn't know what hurt more, his injury or this knowledge.

"During that time away from Section... I had nothing.. I lost everything... I lost Jurgen, the man who was protecting me... I lost a child... that was my only tie to the man I loved" Nikita says and Michael moves his hand to her.

"YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME!” Michael finally screams out and Nikita bolts to a standing position.

"WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE? WHAT? IT WOULD HAVE ENDED THE SAME WAY!” Nikita screams and then there is a loud crack. The window explodes and Michael watches Nikita's body sway backwards. In the distance there is another gunshot, but Michael watches the blood shoot from what looked like Nikita's neck, but it was really her upper back.