CAPTIVE FREEDOM PART 9

Michael waited impatiently for Birkoff to arrive, his stomach clenched painfully at the thought of throwing Nikita onto the mats so hard that afternoon. Had he known of her condition, he would have let her beat him to a pulp before striking her in any way.

A knock on the door and the face of Birkoff peering in the dimness of the office brought him back abruptly to the present. Birkoff stepped in, closing the door behind him, his other hand nervously pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. I guess this has to do with the medical report? He asked sticking his hands deep in his loose khaki pants.

Michael stared at him from his desk his face set in his classic blank mode. Do they know yet? He asked, his legs crossed under the desk as he watched the younger man almost squirm in anxiety before him.

Birkoff shook his head. No, I sent it right to you after I intercepted it. I kind of figured it wouldn’t go over too well with Center.

Michael pulled out a small disc from his computer and handed it to Birkoff. Take this and send it on to Madeline. You never saw this message. He said calmly referring the information Birkoff had sent him earlier.

Nodding, Birkoff took the disc, sticking it in his pocket. Yeah,, sure… You can trust me. He said knowing full well what Michael was capable of doing to a man if provoked or betrayed.

Michael merely stared back at him, his eyes dismissing the younger man. Birkoff nodded and turned, unable to get himself out of that office quick enough in his opinion.

Michael’s eyes went back to the Intel, not quite able to totally get over the fact she was carrying his baby. It would only be a matter of time before he had to relive the nightmare he lived with his Simone years earlier and the baby they had taken from them. He closed his eyes, fingers pressing on the bridge of his already sore nose.

Merde,,, not again. He mumbled as he pulled the disc out and place in his jacket pocket. It was time to meet her once again and he hoped she was a lot calmer now, but if he knew his Nikita, he knew full well she would be just as fiery.

Nikita sat on the table top, snapping her gum noisily in the quiet locker room, once more trying to study the weaponry Intel from Walter but was unable to grasp anything she was reading. Her thoughts kept returning to Ireland and her passionate night with Michael. To be able to feel him next to her, to spend the entire night wrapped in his arms had been a taste of heaven itself, yet in the end, it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Letting the panel fall onto the seat of the chair between her feet, she rested her head in her hands trying to quell the churning of her nerves. She loved him so much, loved him enough to forgive him for bringing her back, and loved him enough to give up a life she so dearly prayed for. A life without Section.

The hairs on her neck suddenly stood up, a chill pulsed up her spine and she sat up, raising her head only to come face to face with Michael.

Come with me. He said quietly, turning to leave her without so much as even waiting for her response.

Raising one eyebrow, she picked up her panel and headed out after him, trying to quell the mixed emotions racing through her. She watched him from behind, taking in the way his hair moved on his collar, the confident calm gait he always had, the look of his iron hard lean leg muscles rippling under his tight black pants. Even the smell of him reached her nose and she felt her insides react to him as if on command. He had a distinctive fresh smell about him.. Kind of like the fresh laundry you get from the clothes line in the middle of the summer.

Damn him for having such an effect on me Nikita thought to herself as they approached one of the side exit elevators.

Where are we going? She asked reaching the closed elevator door to stand just off to the side of him.

Out.

Nikita nodded, looking sceptical. Out… okay…. Out where? She pressed him for more answers knowing he wasn’t supposed to take her out from within Sections walls right now. Operations had her on a lock down until they felt they could trust her.

Michael looked at her yet refused to answer. Eventually, the doors opened and he motioned her to step in first. Shrugging her shoulders in resignation, she stepped inside. It took a full minute to reach the surface and they exited out into the long hall leading to outside.

He remained as silent as ever until they reached what appeared to be his car.

Nikita stood back while he pulled the passenger door open, his well trained eyes taking in the activity of the street round them. Seating herself in the plush leather seat, he closed the door for her and walked around to the driver’s side, quickly slipping in beside her.

Pulling out into the traffic, Michael easily navigated his way thru the heavy city traffic, still choosing to remain aloof and silent.

Nikita leaned on her armrest, staring out at the city as they sped along waiting for him to tell what this was all about. After what seemed like forever, he pulled into a huge building’s underground parking area, and stopped. Switching the ignition off, he opened his door.

Nikita grabbed his arm, stopping him. Where is this? She asked suspiciously.

Michael looked down at her hand on his arm and then back to her face. Trust me Nikita….. Please. He added after seeing her face cloud over slightly.

Releasing his arm, she turned and got out of the car, slamming the door shut. Michael began to walk to an elevator not far from them, knowing she would follow without him having to ask.

All too soon, they stood outside a large metal door to which Michael inserted a security card in its slot near the handle. Swinging it open, he motioned for her to step in before him.

Nikita sighed, grudgingly obeying and found herself inside a huge loft type apt.

Flipping on the lights behind her; Michael closed the door after them.

Taking in the surroundings with surprise, she looked about with wide eyes. It had a high ceiling, adorned by only one huge fan, the floor was rich hardwood, almost glossy in appearance, and a large open kitchen was in the far right corner. A massive screen was propped against the center pillar of the loft, facing a large black leather couch and matching chair set on top a huge dark burgundy and black rug. Two lamps were on each side of the couch providing a soft light.

Michael walked past her and took his long jacket off, setting it over a big marble table by the door where she stood. Taking a few steps in, she noticed a large room divider, adorned with gold and black fabric.

My bedroom. He offered seeing her crane her neck trying to figure out what was behind the screen.

Nikita flushed, pulling her eyes back to him. Did I say I wanted to know? She shot back crossing her arms over her chest angry with herself for being so obvious.

Michael let her indignant comment go by and went to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee knowing full well she was very much interested despite her anger towards him.

Slipping her shoes off, she padded across the smooth floor heading to the large bay windows. She almost gasped at the panoramic view it provided. The city stretched out for seemingly forever in all directions save for the huge city park just a few blocks off to the right.

Wow. Nice. She thought to herself leaning on the wide ledge enjoying the sight below. The sound of mugs being set on the counter top behind her made her recall just where she was and she became stiff once more.

We don’t have much time to do this. His voice travelled across the loft making her jump as if she had forgotten he was there to begin with and she cursed at her frayed nerves.

Time to do what? She asked turning her head to the side, looking down at the flowering plant on the floor beside her feet.

Michael walked around the kitchen island and made his way to the screen that separated his room from the rest of the loft.

Nikita followed him with her eyes and barely contained the snort that erupted from her throat. Did he really think he could bed her again like nothing was amiss?

She crossed her arms and shook her head at him, when he stopped momentarily to look back at her wondering why she made such an odd sound. The realization of her thoughts made him smile inside.

I am not planning to seduce you. He offered trying to keep a straight face but secretly grateful she had enough feelings left for him to think he might try.

Good. I know you’re not accustomed to women rejecting you. God knows I wouldn’t want to hurt your feelings. She said not bothering to keep the sarcastic tone from her voice.

Michael looked away, pausing before disappearing behind the screen.

Nikita furrowed her eyebrows; desperately wanting to know what he was doing yet too proud to give in and go look. Instead, she made her way over to the kitchen and poured herself a mug full of cold water from the tap, savouring the cool liquid as it went down her throat thinking those knock out drugs Section used were brutal.

Kita. Come here. His voice made her turn around, setting her mug back down and hesitantly approach him. Sit down. He ordered more the asked indicating a spot next to him on the long black couch as he set a box down on the coffee table very carefully. Looking up at her, he waited patiently for her to give in and obey. It didn’t go over his head that she chose to sit on one of the matching chairs instead.

You have to leave, I see that now. He stated simply.

Nikita felt her jaw drop slightly, her stomach tightening painfully. Excuse me? Leave? She asked incredulously, leaning back in shock in the chair.

Yes. Opening the box, the contents were revealed and much to her shock, it was full of money and a few guns, Section issue from the looks of them.

Take the money and disappear for good. There is 90,000 in US funds here, all unmarked of course. He lifted the neatly tied bills out of the box and tossed them across the table towards her.

Nikita looked down at the rapidly growing pile of bills with awe. Confusion clouded her features as she pushed it back at him, getting to her feet again.

Take the money and run? Michael,,, what the hell are you trying to do here? What is it you’re not telling me? She paced back and forth, her hands firmly planted on her hips.

Ignoring her outburst, he continued. The implant they put back in has been disabled so it’s not a factor. I will cover for you as long as I can.

Nikita sat back down rather heavily; her eyes wide and unblinking as she listened to him go on like nothing was wrong.

These guns are for you too, both are already loaded. He held up each gun for her to see and then set both back in the box.

Michael,,, are you trying to drive me insane? She asked resting her elbows on each of her knees.

Michael looked across the table at her, wishing he could do this in another way but knew he couldn’t if he wanted her to be safe,,, both she and their baby. The baby she didn’t even know she carried deep in her womb. Michael felt a crushing pain hit him at the thought of never seeing her or the baby in this lifetime but he loved them both enough to do it if it meant them being free of Section. Drawing in a breath, he continued, relying totally on his acting abilities now as sending her from him was the last thing he wanted.

You want your freedom; I’m giving it back to you. Take it while you can. He looked directly at her, willing himself to look as hard as possible, to hide his love for her from showing in his eyes.

Nikita stared hard at him, feeling quite ill at the thought of leaving him a second time despite her anger towards him for his betrayal. There’s more you’re not telling me Michael. She challenged him staring back just as hard as he.

No… there isn’t. He lied outright once again. He cursed himself for always having to lie to her. How many times would she let him do this to her and take him back into her life before she said goodbye to him for good?

Nikita sat back, a tear of frustration threatened to spill onto her pale cheek as she stared back into his handsome face. The face of her one and only true love. She recalled the first time she used that expression. It was in the kitchen at Bauers house. She recalled how she had leaned over on the kitchen stool, gently biting that lovely face of his for that sickos perverse enjoyment. But more importantly, she remembered the look on Michael’s face. He had been surprised and immensely turned on by it. Now here was that same face and it was lying to her once again.

TO BE CONTINUED

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