CAPTIVE FREEDOM PART 8

Pinching his nose with a towel, Michael walked stiffly down the hall followed by a very angry Nikita, her eyes flashed wickedly in the dim lighting. Several operatives along the way flattened themselves against the walls giving them both a wide berth upon seeing the expression on Michael’s normally impassive face.

Surprised when he passed all of the private workout rooms, she realized all too soon he was taking her to his office. This could mean only one thing. He wanted his dampening system turned on to prevent anyone in Section from hearing or seeing what he wanted to say to her.

Approaching the door of his office, he pushed it open, striding in without a look back to see if she was following. Nikita glanced over in Walter’s direction, her face firmly set as she disappeared in after an equally grim Michael.

Sit down. His voice was hard as he all but threw his bag into the corner behind his desk.

Nikita plonked herself down in the chair, pulling her one foot up to rest on her knee. Just as she thought, he went behind his desk, pulled out his pad and entered his code. A small series of beeps sounded indicating the system was now online and he turned, pacing back and forth, stopping to look out the window. Pulling the towel from his nose, he tossed it in the same corner as his bag, still not looking at her. His breathing agitated, yet his face had taken on a calm look.

Nikita stared at his back, her own anger beginning to build once again. Given half a chance Michael, I think I could kill you for bringing me back in. She said in a bitter tone.

Michael turned suddenly, closing the distance between them in seconds, his hands gripping her chair as he leaned down over her. Given half a chance, Section would kill you had I not brought you back.

I wish they had. She shot back lifting her chin defiantly at him.

Michael stared down into her face, trying to read her real thoughts and was for once in all the time he had known her, unable to. The realization left him shaken.

Nikita pushed his hands away from the chair and rolled back away from him, standing up to pace herself, hands on her hips.

Michael straightened up, torn with his feelings for her and his obligation to Section as a level 5 operative.

I thought you loved me Michael,, loved me like I love you,,, oh I know … She paused holding her hand up when she thought he was going to interrupt her. You have never said as much, but you tell me as much in your own ways. But this,,,,, this method you chose to bring me back,,,,,, you could have just told me why you were there, asked me to come back. But you didn’t,,, instead, you treated me like a target. She took in a shaky breath, cursing herself for feeling the hot tears filling in the back of her eyes.

Michael stood calmly now, listening to her vent, knowing she needed this right now whether she was right or wrong.

I trusted you with my freedom and you helped them take it from me. Tell me Michael… did you do it for them or for yourself? She turned her head to stare at him over her shoulder, her face plainly showing the deep hurt she felt inside.

Michael felt his gut twist painfully, using all of his training to keep from letting his true emotions take him over. If I told you why I had come, would you have returned with me willingly? He asked quietly ignoring the hurtful question.

Nikita held his stare for a moment and then pulled her eyes back to the floor in front of her.

You didn’t have a choice. Neither did I. He finally said.

Nikita. He came towards her, his body touching hers from behind yet he kept his hands at his sides. They were going to kill you outright, but I convinced them you were too valuable.

Nikita whirled around, the surprise evident on her face. You what? You convinced them? You???? She felt her nerves unravelling with his admission. Valuable to whom,,, you or them Michael? She hissed pushing him back hard as she side-stepped past him to go to the door.

Michael reached out, his hand gripping her arm tightly, pulling her back hard so she fell into his body. Gripping both her upper arms, he pushed her against the wall, his face close to hers. Listen to me carefully. You know of my feelings for you. You know them to be real. Don’t ever accuse me of bringing you back for me. I followed orders, orders I knew couldn’t let go to anyone else. It had to be me Kita. You know that as well as anyone. He paused, his grip loosening when he saw he was hurting her before continuing. If I had any say, you would still be free. But I don’t. What I did I do to keep you alive. He stepped away from her, turning his back on her and pushing his hands into his loose hair.

You used me Michael. If you love me, you would have told me before you bedded me, before you drugged me. She pointed out, rubbing her arms gingerly, the anger still coursing thru her body.

Michael turned to look at her, his eyes piercing hers. No I couldn’t. You know it and so do I. He said calmly.

Nikita raised her chin again, wanting nothing more then to slap that blank stare from his face but instead, pushed past him, gathering up her bag and went to the door. Pausing, she gripped the door handle tightly and took one more look at him. His back was still to her, his body stiff and unyielding. Opening her mouth to speak, she just as quickly clamped it shut once again, pulled the door open and left.

The sound of the door clicking behind him made him wince, his eyes closing tiredly as a look of pain crossed his handsome features.

Nikita stormed down the hall, turning down to a small stairwell taking the steps two at a time all the way down. Her heart was still pounding hard in her chest, almost painfully at that as she refused to calm down. Glancing down at her watch, she saw she had to report to him again for training in less then an hour. Scowling, she finally reached her room, hip checking the door open; she tossed her jacket and bag onto the bed. Yanking the too tight ponytail loose, she shook her hair out, a physical relief washed over her sore scalp as she rubbed her skin gingerly. Her hip hurt too where she had fallen rather hard during their supposed workout session making her sit rather carefully on the bedside, running the brush through her hair.

She never heard the door open and sat bolt upright, eyes wide when she heard his voice.

Hey sugar. Rumour has it you beat Michael up. Is it true? His smiling face greeted her as he leaned against the door, his bright blue bandana catching her eye right away.

Setting her brush down, Nikita smiled and got to her feet, throwing her arms around his neck. Walter. It’s so good to see you. She hugged him tightly laughing when the older man picked her up off her feet and swung her in a half circle.

Sugar, you can see as much of me as you want. He teased her, flirting as always. Setting her down before he hurt his back, he stepped back, holding her by the chin with one hand, studying her face. You look as hurt as he does. He said casually letting his hand drop back to his side when she pulled away at his comment.

He lied to me Walter. He should feel bad. Her mood darkened immediately at the mention of Michael.

Walter shook his head, crossing his arms over his jeans jacket clad chest. They were going to cancel you outright, knowing how you felt about your newfound freedom. Michael convinced them to let him bring you back, that you were a valuable operative that should be taken advantage of,,, not cancelled.

Nikita snorted picking up her brush again, ripping it angrily through her hair. No Walter,,, he brought me in for him. I would have never done this to him. I know how he feels about being here. He knew how I felt. He betrayed me Walter. She reiterated walking over to the small doorway to the bathroom.

Walter followed her, watching her braid her hair in the mirror. No sugar,, he didn’t betray you. The man loves you more then life itself. He did it to save your life.

Nikita shot him a look through the mirror, her fingers never missing a beat. None of us have lives in here Walter. You know it, I know it and so does he.

Walter sighed, shaking his head sadly at her stubbornness. You have told me yourself Nikita; we all have to create our own lives here in Section. Keep a part of ourselves separated from them and hold on to that spark of life on the outside when we get a chance too. Don’t you recall me telling you about the 5 percent club? Well, he is a member,,,, he became one the day you arrived. And you….. He paused turning her round by the shoulders to face him. You,,, you’re one of the founding members in my eye. We have lives,,,, as long as we choose to have them.

Nikita furrowed her eyebrows together in frustration at the truth of his words. Who was she rally angry with? Michael or Section itself?

Walter,,,,,, She sighed rolling her eyes tiredly. You always know what to say don’t you?

Walter merely cocked his head to the side gave her arms a quick squeeze and turned, whistling a tune as he headed for the door leaving her with a great deal to think about.

Michael had just finished showering, changing and collecting his frayed nerves when the sound of Operations voice filtered throughout his office. He sat back in his chair, his eyes cast out unseeing out his office window.

Yes?

Michael, what the hell is going on with you? You let her hit you. Any other op, you would have laid out cold for reacting that way during a training session. His voice was clearly frustrated and it wasn’t lost on Michael.

She needed to punish me.. I let her. He replied simply, folding his hands on his lap. A moment of silence passed and then the sound of the connection being severed was plainly heard.

Michael brought his eyes back to the screen in front of him, reading the medical intel sent to him by Birkoff on Nikita. He had never felt such fear and anxiety in his life. How was he to tell the woman who hated him more then anything in this world she was carrying his child?

TO BE CONTINUED

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