NEVER TOGETHER NEVER APART –
PARTS 2 & 3

Two days had passed since he had contacted her with his terrible news, and Nikita could barely sleep from the waiting and wondering. She was torn inside over little Adam’s illness. The child was an angel. In the short time she had gotten to know the little boy, she had found him to charming, bright and loveable beyond words. For one so small, he had endured so much in his life and to have this happen to him was a sin.

She sipped her tea absently, unwilling to think of the possibility Section’s med staff would be unable to help him and the devastating effect it would have on Michael. He lived for that child. To lose Adam would be to kill a part of himself too and the thought of his reaction scared her.

Returning her attention to the Valchek file, she gazed at the image of Michael and Adam on the screen. It had been taken by a reconnaissance team when he had dropped him off at his school. Michael was hugging him, lunch pail hanging over his shoulder, Adam on his tip toes, lips pressed to Michael’s cheek.

Nikita sighed uneasily. Where are you Michael? She said under her breath switching the image off and getting to her feet. There was a briefing in 10 minutes and she needed to gather herself up for it.

Setting her cup down, she got to her feet, her high-heeled boots clicking on the hard concrete floor as she tucked in her blouse into the tight waistband of her black pants. Reaching down, she pulled the tuxedo cut jacket on; her fingers scrunched her hair around her face and headed down the stairs to the main floor below.

Just as she was going to retire for the night, Jason jumped up from his station and looked up at the perch. Nikita recognized the look on his face right away and nodded, indicating for him to come immediately. Pacing, Nikita bit her thumb, meeting the younger man at the top of the steps.

Jason held the disc out and nodded. The same method was used. He said relieved when she smiled, clapping him gently on the shoulder and then thanked him.

That will be all. She dismissed him politely yet quickly, turning away from him before he could reply.

Slipping in the disc, she followed the usual routine and watched as the screen flashed. It was him.

B channel, 5 minutes. The image darkened and then ended. Nikita hit replay, noticing how tired he looked, his usual calmness seemed to be faltering, showing plainly in his voice.

Nikita beeped Jason at his station.

Yes? Jason, in 5 minutes, you’ll be getting a transmission on channel B, patch it to me, level 10 security.

Understood.

Nikita closed the channel and darkened the perch window and engaged the locks on both doors. Pacing, she counted the minutes, then the seconds. Almost exactly on cue, the message came in.

Switching the comm. on, she saw him. He looked tired, his hair long and scraggily, hair in his eyes.

Michael…… She found her voice faltering badly and she coughed lightly, looking down to collect herself. Bringing her face back up, she looked at him directly. How is Adam?

Michael looked off camera for a moment. Not good. Can I bring him in? His attention came back to her and he waited for her to speak.

Yes. Of course. You will need transport…. What is your location? She asked preparing to type down the info.

Michael blinked rapidly then spoke again. We are in the city. The St James Hotel, suite 4055.

I will send a team right away. She replied, nodding her approval.

Thank you. He said.

Nikita looked up in time to see the image flicker out and go dark indicating he had cut transmission. Her mouth dropped in surprise, disappointed he didn’t say anything personal yet wasn’t totally surprised by it either. Swallowing, she tapped down to med lab and barked out instructions for the pickup.

Walter came to her side as she stood mutely at the access point, her eyes glued to the metal door.

I hear Michael is coming in. That proves my hearing is going. He chuckled hoping to make her smile. He saw it was useless right away when she merely glanced at him, a serious look on her face.

Your hearing is perfectly fine Walter.

Walter raised his eyebrow in surprise. Well well….. and what brings him back so soon? Couldn’t stand to be away from you eh? He teased after making sure they were unobserved. She always allowed Walter to tease and kid her, but never in front to the general population of Section. She was after all, Operations.

Nikita ground her teeth, trying to keep her nerves from breaking as the arrival time crept slowly closer.

Walter, please, not now. She almost spit out making the older man grow serious right away.

Straightening up, he nodded. Of course… Sorry.

Nikita was about to turn and apologise when the board above the door indicated the team had arrived. Drawing in her breath, she stepped back as the door swung open, the medical team pushed out a gurney with the small pale form of Adam peeking out from under the heavy blankets. I.V’s hung from metal bars above him, monitors beeped loudly as they rushed down the hall headed for Med Lab. Two large ops emerged and then behind them, Michael.

Walter rolled his eyes and turned, making himself scarce. Michael brushed off some snow from his collar, and then took his gloves off. He paused and then turned, facing her, his face drawn and obviously exhausted.

Nikita slowly reached out with her hand and touched his arm, giving it a small gentle squeeze. We will do all we can for him Michael… I promise. She reassured him.

Michael nodded, stepped back and turned, following after the med team leaving Nikita to stare after him. She choked back a sob at the shape of both of them. Adam looked so frail and tiny and Michael as if he had been on a violent mission.

Saying a silent prayer, she turned away, forcing herself to wait for any news. Michael would come to her when he was ready.

PART 3

Nikita dismissed the rest of her panels and instead, headed for the Tower, her new residence for the past 2 years. There had been times when she missed the apartment desperately; reliving memories of days gone by in the still empty place was often comforting despite the operatives standing guard outside the door waiting for her. That was one aspect she had detested since assuming the position.

Glancing down at her watch, it was already going on for 1:15 AM. She counted she had been awake for almost a full 20 hours and yawned loudly, hip checking the door once she had swiped the card to open it.

The lights came on automatically; a soft hue took over giving her a respite from the harsh lighting from the rest of Section. She had all the lighting replaced when she moved in, installing natural light panels on one wall in the living area. It simulated the sunshine 500 feet above the underground Section. If she wasn’t able to get to the sun, she would bring it to her.

Closing the door behind her, she wandered into the living area and pulled off her jacket, tossing it over the couch. Plonking down on the chair, she pulled her boot zipper down, wriggling it off her foot, sighing with relief as the cool air hit her nylon covered foot. Taking the other boot off, she lay back, rubbing her temple, thoughts returning to Michael and Adam once again.

Turning her head, she looked over at the computer on the desk deciding to pull in a view of Med Lab. Sitting down on the cushy chair; she rested her elbow on the desk, palm cupping her chin as she brought up the monitor.

Immediately, the lab came into focus, a team still working on the tiny frail form of Adam, The silent protective form of Michael stood just out of the way and no more, his gaze fixed on the monitors above Adams head. His back was to her so Nikita had no idea as to what he was thinking. Impulsively, she beeped for the doctors.

Yes? A mans voice answered almost immediately.

What is the boy’s status? She asked as businesslike as possible, her voice masking the fear she felt inside.

The child is in critical condition. A tumour has created a great deal of pressure at the base of his skull, so we are giving him drugs to make him go into a simulated coma for the time being. Until we can run more tests, there is little else we can do for him except to keep him under observation. I would like to keep Michael here for the night as well. He is dehydrated, exhausted and malnourished.

Nikita shook her head sadly hating her next order yet knew it would be for the best,, Drug him if he resists.

Yes sir. The doctor replied.

The channel closed and Nikita returned her gaze to the monitor. One of the doctors approached Michael, speaking to him for a few moments. Michael nodded and then followed him, pulling his coat off and giving it to a nurse as they headed for a bed close to little Adams. Nikita smiled, relived when she saw that Michael too, recognized the fact he too needed rest and attention.

The curtains pulled around the bed cutting her view so she switched it off and got to her feet, heading for her bed. Sleep was what she wanted right now.

Waking early the next morning, she ate breakfast with her second, Val King, a lovely woman, but much like the old Madeline; sometimes an asset, often a pain. Val picked up a glass of juice sipping it daintily, while taking down orders from Nikita; preparing for future missions and the usual running of the Section.

I understand we have two new patients. The infamous Michael Samuelle and his son? She more stated than asked gauging her superior’s reaction, disappointed to see almost none. Val took note she would have to be less obvious in the future.

Nikita set the linen napkin down on the glass top table and smiled vaguely. Yes.

Val cocked an eyebrow up at the confirmation, set her juice down and reached for a piece of toast. Really? May I ask why they have come back? I thought you gave them their freedom. A moment for Section and you I might add. It’s never been done until them. Shall I inform Center of their arrival? She crunched down noisily after spreading strawberry jam on it.

Nikita smiled, yet the smile was most un-genuine, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Val. Leaning forward, Nikita tapped her fingernails on the glass. I think you need to re-evaluate your job description Ms. King. Don’t you? She asked pushing her chair back with the backs of her legs, still leaning on the table staring at her now uncomfortable second.

Val swallowed with difficulty, setting the half eaten toast back onto her plate. Message received. She conceded knowing Nikita was in no mood to be toyed nor bantered with.

Nikita stood up straight leaving a contrite Val alone without so much as a second look back.

Nikita entered the still fairly dim med lab and walked directly to Adams bed, nodding to a nurse as she walked by. Glancing over at the bed next to him, she saw a sleeping Michael, IV in his arm.

Pulling a stool over to Adams bedside, she gingerly picked up his tiny hand in hers, bringing it to her mouth and kissing it softly. His face was relaxed, but his normally dark skin was deathly pale, seemingly translucent in the dim light.

Hello Adam. It’s me, Nikita. It’s good to see you again. She whispered being careful not to jostle the many tubes and wires attached to his small form. Nikita fought back a wave of tears at the shape he was in. He was indeed terribly ill.

Your daddy brought you to our hospital so we can help to fix you up. Maybe after you’re feeling better, he can take you home so you can go back to school. She smiled stroking his palm gently, her eyes sifted from the machines to his small face.

The sound of Michael stirring in his sleep made her look up at him, studying him. His hair was longer than she recalled, a few strands of grey could be seen and the stubble still there on his chin much like when she last saw him. He was thinner, obviously stressed over Adams illness and it pained her to see him like this.

His eyes fluttered open, his whole body tensed up immediately as he became more conscious of where he was. His head turned, raising himself up on his elbows watching Nikita as she got to her feet, going around Adams bed to come to his side.

He is stable Michael. Relax, it’s alright.

Michael stared hard at Adams still form, his eyes then going to the monitors over him, satisfied he was still alive, and lay back down on the pillow behind him. Closing his eyes for a moment, he seemed to be gathering himself.

Thank you. He said breaking the silence between them finally and opening his eyes to look up at her.

Nikita smiled, shaking her head. There’s no need to thank me Michael.

He let out a long breath and rubbed his brow as if he were in pain.

Are you feeling okay? Can I get you anything? She asked touching his arm with her fingertips ever so gently.

He shook his head, looking past her back at Adam. Nikita looked as well then back to Michael.

We will do everything in our power to help him. She reassured him pulling her hand back to fold them together loosely.

I know. Michael said quietly looking up at her intently.

Your hair, you cut it.

Nikita let out a soft laugh, her hand went to her hair self-consciously smoothing it down. It was much shorter a year ago. I just started to grow it out again.

He stared up at her, silent as always.

I think I even missed that. She said pulling another stool over so she could sit down.

The blank stare. She explained after seeing his questioning look.

Michael looked away from her and down to the IV in his arm. How have you been? He asked bringing his eyes back up to meet hers, obviously ignoring her comment.

I have been missing you. That’s how I have been. She said looking down, unable to meet his steady gaze.

Why didn’t you ever try to contact me? She added when he didn’t answer her, pulling her head back up once again.

Ni-ki-ta. He drew out her name in a hushed tone, the same way he used to with her when they were alone.

It would have been too painful for both of us. He added calmly.

It was more painful thinking you had forgotten. She said bitterly, trying hard not to sound like a petulant child.

Michael reached out, holding his hand palm up to her.

Nikita looked at it and then up to his face. With a shaking hand, she placed hers in his, surprised when his fingers closed over hers in a tight squeeze and then answered her, his voice firm.

That isn’t possible.

TO BE CONTINUED

CONTINUE TO PART 4 OF NEVER TOGETHER NEVER APART
RETURN TO PART 1 OF NEVER TOGETHER NEVER APART
RETURN TO THE NEVER TOGETHER NEVER APART STORY PAGE
RETURN TO NC-17 FANFIC PAGE
RETURN TO MAIN FANFIC PAGE

(c) 2000 vthomas@carolina.rr.com