Jurgen: You know what it is that I want Michael.

Michael: No. I will not do that.

Jurgen: Come on Michael, she's dying here. A piece of her soul is dying each and every day in that place. Would you rather her be here with me safe or there slowly dying inside?

Michael: I don't want to see her soul die. I also don't want to see her trapped here with you. In the end, the same thing happens.

Jurgen looked around the room quickly. Michael didn't know why Jurgen suddenly started doing that but it made him nervous. Michael watched Jurgen look around for a good five minutes before he got up and walked into the kitchen. Michael had a good view of Jurgen and Nikita from where he was standing trying to think.

Michael watched Jurgen get up and walk outside for no apparent reason. They had plenty of firewood inside so it couldn't be that. Michael walked up to the door. He peeked through the small window to see Jurgen talking animatedly over a cellular phone. Michael tried to think of whom Jurgen could be talking to. He did know for a fact that it wasn't Section because they thought he was dead.

Michael turned and walked over to Nikita. She was sleeping. He shook her lightly to wake her up. She had to be aware that something was deadly wrong here. She woke up quickly with Michael's hand over her mouth.

Michael: Shh! Listen to me carefully but don't say a word. There is something wrong with this picture. Jurgen is acting strange and demanding things that he knows that I will not succumb to. He is now out on the porch talking on a cell phone. I don't know whom he's talking to. You must keep pretending. I will keep you updated on the situation as I learn more. Be prepared for anything.

Just then, the front door opened and Jurgen walked through carrying some firewood. That was when Michael knew something was seriously wrong. The Jurgen he knew would not go out and get firewood when there was plenty already inside.

Nikita quickly closed her eyes again when she heard the door open. She knew that that was what Michael wanted her to do without even looking into his eyes. She pretended to sleep while Michael confronted Jurgen.

Jurgen: Hey, I just went out and gathered some more firewood for tonight.

Michael: We don't need anymore firewood.

Jurgen: Never hurts to make sure.

Michael: You knew we had plenty when you went out there.

Jurgen: What are you getting at Michael?

Michael: I think that you are not the real Jurgen.

Jurgen: I don't understand.

Michael: Yes you do.

Michael proceeded to walk over and pull the latex mask from the stranger's face. They were both shocked to see who the real person behind the mask was.

For the first time in Section history, Michael gasped. His eyes dilated. Hairs on his neck stood on end. His mouth dropped. But of course, he quickly covered it up with his blank stare and controlled features.

The man grinned at him. Nikita kept her eyes shut tightly, but her ears became hyper-sensitive to the conversation at hand.

Michael: Gray.

Gray: So you never suspected. Interesting. I would have thought Section kept tabs on all the peoples' lives they screwed up.

Michael kept silent.

Gray: Nothing to say on behalf of your stellar Section? Well, then. I guess since you're not going to ask any questions I'll have to explain. When Nikita broke it off with me, I became a wreck. Just like you, I imagine, when Nikita escaped. I have to thank you for that. I almost caught up with her that time, but she moved too quickly for me. So I eventually realized after a period of confusion, what had happened. She would never tell me what she did when she went away. She wasn't seeing anyone. She owned a gun that I had glimpsed one day in her handbag. And of course she had a cell phone.

Michael: Lots of women carry guns and cell phones.

Gray: Shall I go on? You came in, as did this Aunt Josephine person. And every time you mentioned her Nikita had to leave immediately. She would be away for weeks at a time with no communication to me. Nothing. I realized looking back, that it must have been a code name. Your people believed I was a simple architect, consumed by my love of the subject. You and I have something in common, we're both persistent and passionate. I would not stop till I found out what happened. I made contacts, and within a few months, I had something going. I could find out what conversation Madeline just had within an hour of having it. You would be amazed at how many traitors there are in Section. The main difference between you and me is that I can provide Nikita with what you cannot. I can give her a life, love her deeply and show it, PROTECT her, as you cannot. How many times has she ended up in MedLab because of your negligence?

Michael glanced at Nikita. She still appeared to be asleep. No reaction. Maybe she was asleep. He doubted it.

Michael: So what are you going to do with us?

At that moment, a car pulled up outside.

Gray: That's my ride. Casey's protected so don't even think of getting to her. Section will find you here soon I imagine. She will come with me.

Michael had to think fast on how to get them out of this impossible situation. What if Nikita wanted to go with Gray?

After having lain quietly, pretending to be asleep, Nikita decided that now was the moment...or never. She opened her eyes, and cautiously sitting up, glared up at Gray.

"Gray, I am not going anywhere with you," she said, quite calmly. When she had sat up, Michael turned from Gray, and stooped down next to her. He placed his hand on Nikita's, as if trying to transfer his own strength into her. Nikita, after speaking, turned to Michael.

"I am okay Michael, a little tired, but okay," she reassured him. Then, with a slight smile, she winked at him. Michael, his blank stare firmly in place, only spoke to Nikita with his eyes. He let her know how concerned he was, and that he would figure a way out of this.

After releasing Nikita's hand, and standing back up, Michael squared his shoulders, and turned to Gray. Gray smiled, smugly, and when he did, it went all through Michael. That was when Michael decided who would be in control, and who wouldn't.

"If you want to take Nikita," he began, "it will be over my dead body." Gray's smile grew even smugger, and that was when he played what he thought to be his trump card. "Why don't we let Nikita decide that one Michael."

Gray turned his attention to Nikita, and then with a calm and cool tone, spoke. "So, Nikita, do you want to stay with Michael and be a prisoner for the rest of your life? Or do you want to go with me, and be free?" Gray continued to look at Nikita, as if he were sure of her answer.

Nikita steadied herself, and stood. Then, on weak and wobbly knees, she walked up to Gray, and looked him in the eye. With a smile, she replied to his question. "Gray, I loved you once, and because I loved you, I let you go. But, you are not the person I knew, and now, my heart belongs to someone else." As Nikita said this, Gray glanced over Nikita's shoulder, and looked at Michael. Michael, with no reaction on his face, just continued to blankly stare at the two people in front of him.

"Now, if you will please excuse me, I am very tired, and am not in the mood for anymore games." As Nikita finished, the car out front honked its horn, and Gray turned to glance over his shoulder.

***

Madeline walked up to Birkoff, and leaning over, glanced over his shoulder.

"Any luck yet?" she asked. Birkoff turned, and with a puzzled look on his face, furrowed his brows.

"On what? The position of Michael and Nikita?" he questioned.

"Yes," Madeline replied. "Yeah. Well over two hours ago. I told Operations, and he said he would tell you."

Madeline straightened up, and looked past Birkoff, as if deep in thought. Then, turning on her heel, she started to leave.

Stopping, she turned back to Birkoff. "Where is Operations?" she asked.

Birkoff shook his head. "I haven't seen him since I got the location lock. Anything wrong?"

Madeline smiled slightly, then turned. As she walked across the lobby, Madeline mumbled to herself, "I hope not."

***

Gray exited the house, and walking down the sidewalk, opened the door on the waiting car. As he slid in and shut the door, the driver turned to him.

"Well, what happened?" Gray turned to the driver, pensive at first, and then a wicked smile broke out on his face.

"Just as we planned. They think they are safe, as long as they stand together. They have no idea."

The driver took a long drag on his cigarette, and then smiled in turn himself.

"Good, then let’s move on to the rest of the plan. By this time tomorrow, they should both be out of the way."

With that, Operations put the car into gear, and drove down the deserted road.

Back in the cabin...

Nikita was trembling so badly from the trials she had endured this day. She swayed on her feet and Michael rushed to her side, catching her just as she was about to fall to the floor.

He gently picked her up and carried her back over to the small pallet that they had originally prepared for her in front of the fireplace. Lying her down carefully, Michael reached up and smoothed a lock of her tangled hair back away from her eyes.

She looked up at his through her tears and smiled at him tremulously… "I thought... it was really Jurgen. I thought..."

"Shh Nikita. Don't talk." Michael kept running one hand across her back and with the other he continued to stroke her hair as if trying to calm a frightened child. He stared into the fire over Nikita's head as his mind was caught in a whirlwind. *After all this time... Gray!! How could he have found them?? How could he have gotten so close to them?? And how had he mastered a gun so quickly as to take out their captors without any effort earlier tonight...? * Michael's brain spun round and round with these questions... searching for answers... Finding none to his liking.

Nikita had finally become still in his arms, but she was not asleep. She was tracing a pattern across his thigh and he paused in his ministrations to tilt her face up to his. When he looked into her eyes all his doubts and fears as to her feelings from this night were laid to rest. She reached up and laid her hand against his cheek and he leaned into it and closed his eyes.

Nikita turned towards him and raised up and met him in a soul-searching kiss... a true mingling of hearts and desires. Michael reached around her and pulled her to him tightly as their mouths opened to each other in complete faith and trust... and love.

Michael got up and walked over to a table where some clothing was sitting. He brought it over to Nikita and handed it to her.

Michael: Maybe you want to put these on before we go back.

Nikita: Do we have to go back so soon?

Michael: Nikita...you're hurt and as much as I'd like to stay here with you...

She had no idea how much he wanted to stay...to never go back to section...to never subject her to that place again...but he knew that it wasn't possible and he couldn't take care of Nikita's injuries without them.

Michael: you know I have to bring you back...so you don't get sick.

Nikita: Yeah… It always seems to work that way doesn't it?

Michael: What way?

Nikita: The way we always end up in each other’s arms and then... Something... Section, killers, runaway cars, anything gets in our way.

Michael: You know I wish...

Nikita: I know... I do.

Nikita carefully got up and walked into the bathroom... She stared into the mirror and her head dropped down...'I don't know why I even bother... I just end up getting hurt all over again... but... I can't help it, I love him too much... I don't know.' Michael walked up to the bathroom door and knocked.

Michael: (concerned) Nikita are you ok?

Nikita: Yeah Michael... I am, I'll be right out.

Michael: Ok...I'm going to phone section and have them pick us up.

Nikita: Yeah Michael.

Michael: Are you sure you're all right?

Nikita: Perfectly.

Nikita decided that she couldn't punish Michael for Section... And so she would make the most of their time together... Always... She finished dressing and came out... Michael was pacing and when he saw her come out he sat down... Nikita walked up next to him and smiled and then sat down... Michael wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the side of her face. Nikita closed her eyes and out of exhaustion fell asleep in Michael's arms.

She woke next in a medical room at section... She was all alone and a bit confused... She soon gained her bearings and Michael walked in the room...

Michael: Hi... You're going to fine. You shouldn't be in much longer and then you can go back to your place...I'll take you if you want.

Nikita: I'd like that.

Michael: I've told Operations and Madeline about Gray.

Nikita: Good... *He was so Michael… There is something very wrong there. *

Michael: I know. Come on lets get you out of here...

Nikita prepares for Michael to take her home...

***

Madeline walks into the observation deck.

Madeline: Where were you?

Operations: I'm not sure I like your tone Madeline.

Madeline: What are you getting yourself into?

Operations: I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about Madeline.

Madeline: With Michael and Nikita I know you're up to something...

Operations: Madeline you better be careful what you say.

Madeline: Fine...but remember you may run section but when it comes down to it if you cross you'll be no better than the people we deal with... And you'll be dealt with the same manner.

Operations: Is that a threat Madeline? I don't like to be threatened... I don’t deal with people who threaten me too kindly, and I'm only going to say that once.

Madeline gave him a look that sent shivers through his body... Then she turned and furiously walked out the door.

***

Michael was driving through the streets towards Nikita's apartment and they both sat still and silent... Nikita couldn't figure out what to say. What could she say... Michael felt the same way he wanted to say so much... He always wanted to say so much, it just never came out. He thought that perhaps, it was mostly because he was afraid of endangering Nikita's life anymore with the Section if they were to develop that kind of relationship and maybe because he didn't want to let her become even more of a weakness to him than she already had... They were very near her apartment and he was about to pull up to it... Nikita looked over at him and began to speak quietly.

Nikita: Michael...would you mind staying with me for a while... I don't want to be alone.

Michael was surprised he hadn't expected this of her... It was so unlike her. But how could he refuse, anyway he needed to rest as well.

Michael: Yes...

Michael got out of the car and walked to the passenger door opened it and reached inside.

Nikita: Michael I can walk by...

But before she could finish Michael had picked her up in his strong arms and was making his way to her apartment... Nikita relaxed and she looked up... Their eyes met and locked... All that they wanted to say didn't have to be said anymore...

Michael opened the door as Nikita's eyes started to drift back to sleep. But there was something wrong. Michael set Nikita's feet back down and even Nikita started to draw for her gun as Michael flipped the switch.

Two guns were trained on Operations as the lights lit up his face. Nikita looks at Michael and then leans against the wall. She couldn't take anymore surprises. Michael set down Nikita's gun, but kept his close by as he helped Nikita to the closest chair.

"Michael… Put the gun away." Operations says and Michael narrows his eyes.

"Michael... I am here for help." Operations says and Michael stares at him.

Operations lifts his hands and allows Michael to search him. Michael pushes his gun back to his side and moves back to Nikita.

"Nikita?" Michael asks softly and Nikita smiles at Michael.

"Michael... It is Operations, right? No latex mask… Or something like that."

Nikita says and Operations turns and looks at Nikita. He had reports from Gray that Nikita had taken it very seriously that she believed it was Jurgen.

"No… No latex mask." Michael says and Nikita nods her head.

"Put her on the couch… She will be more comfortable there." Operations says and Michael nods his head and moves Nikita to the couch.

"Your lives are in danger." Operations says and Nikita shakes her head.

"You trained Gray." Nikita says and Operations nods his head.

"Yes... But he has stopped following my orders... He is after you Nikita… You are his obsession." Operations says and Michael nods his head and sits down by Nikita.

"We will need help to take him down. He is skilled." Michael says and Operations looks at Michael.

"No... We let him take Nikita." Operations says.

Michael and Nikita looked at each other, then turned to look at Operations. Michael recovered first to shout quietly, "You have got to be kidding!"

Operations looking Nikita in the eye says with that half smirk/half smile on his face "Trust me Michael, I have never been more certain. We are going to arrange for Gray to be able to 'get' Nikita as she is walking down the street."

Nikita realizing that nothing her or Michael say is going to change the way that Operations was planning things. Oh she wasn't so blonde that she didn't realize what kind of game Operations was playing here. But she did know that there was a way to beat him at it in a way. "It's okay Michael. This is going to be the only way that we will get him and to cancel him." she said looking at Operations. "And cancel him I will do. Make no mistakes about that Operations."

"He is to be brought in for re-conditioning Nikita. There will be no talk of canceling Gray." Operations demanded as he got up to leave. "Enjoy your time together, you start on this mission in 3 days Nikita. Medical has assured me that you will be much better by then." He said as he walked out the door.

"Nikita!" Michael started to say.

"Shh..." she stopped him. "Not yet. We need to find some place that isn't bugged or being video taped."

"There is always my place at Section. No one will think to look for us there." he said turning the lights out so that the camera's wouldn't pick up their leaving.

“Why do you say that?" she asked him softly.

Looking at her he replied, "Because no one knows that I have a place there. Not even Madeline and Operations or George. Only one person knows that I have a place there, and she is no longer with us." he said as he lead her out of the apartment.

"Who knew that you have an apartment at Section?" Nikita asked as they walked swiftly down the back stairs.

"Adrian." Came the husky reply.

***

Meanwhile back at Section:

"Birkoff I need you to run the tracker on Operations." I want to know where all that he goes.

"Okay Madeline." he says moving across the floor on his rolling chair.

"Anything else today, like Saddams breakfast menu, the presidents current fling? Anything, just let me know? I am your man!" he replied back to her.

"Now is not the time for your whit Birkoff. I need to find out what he is up to and why he is trying to get rid of Nikita."

Birkoff getting all serious now. "You got it. I'll have a list sent to your personal computer in three minutes." he replied back.

"Good see that you do." she said as she left the comm area.

Birkoff stared after Madeline. He wasn't sure what was going on but he sure wished that he were not in the middle of it the way that he currently was. He turned back to his computer console and began his work on Madeline's order.

Meanwhile...

Michael and Nikita made their way into Section without being detected. They went down to the 42nd level of Section where he had his apartment and slowly entered the room. Michael flipped on the light switch flooding the room with a harsh light. Nikita squinted her eyes to protect them until they could get used to it.

Nikita: Michael, what did you mean by Adrian being the only person to know about this room?

Michael went about making sure that the room had not been penetrated by anyone before answering Nikita's question. Once he was sure that everything was ok there, he turned to Nikita.

Michael: She's the one who set this all up for me.

Nikita cocked her head to the side in curiosity.

Nikita: Why?

Michael: For protection against Operations. She wanted to make sure that he didn’t hurt me when he made his final attack for her position.

Nikita: Why would she be so concerned with you personally? Why not some other operative?

Michael walked over and picked her up. She was not strong enough yet to stand there and hear what he had to tell her. He set her down gently on the edge of the king-size bed and faced her.

Michael: She did it for a very specific reason. No one is supposed to know.

Nikita: Come on Michael! Don't play games with me right now! My life is in danger and frankly, I'm not in the mood!

Nikita was short tempered at being put in the position she's in by Operations. She didn't need Michael adding to her frustration.

Michael: Adrian is my great aunt on my father's side. He was half-French and half-English.

Nikita's jaw dropped in shock at the revelation. She'd had no idea that he was related to her. If she had known that things would have turned out differently than what they did. She suddenly felt terrible about betraying Adrian to Section the way that she did.

Nikita: Michael...

Michael: Don't say it! I already know.

Michael stood up and walked quietly into the small bathroom and turned on the light to be confronted by a gun in his face.

Michael: Gray...

Gray: Turn around. Put your hands to your head.

Michael does as he's ordered. Walk out of the bathroom.

As they step out of the bathroom Nikita looks up in shock.

Nikita: Gray...

Gray: Hello, Nikita. Michael, walk to the door and step outside. I wouldn't want Nikita to see you die. She would forever hate me. Not for seeing you die, of course. But for getting blood all over this room and her.

Gray grinned to himself. Nikita saw what was going to happen as the two men approached the door. She had to stall them.

Nikita: Gray, why are you doing this? Why can't you just accept that I do not love you anymore. I'm not sure that I ever loved you. Then, I rebelled against Section and what it stood for, all I wanted to do was escape. Now, I've accepted Section, I don't love it but I tolerate it and have found a good life here. And much as I don't like to admit it, I'm a true Section Operative. I'm one of them.

Gray: You do not know what you're saying. You can have freedom. Do you even remember what that is? Free will. You can wake up at noon if you want to, for the rest of your life. You can drink tea and eat scones in the afternoon, watch TV shows regularly. I can support you. if you want a regular job, you can have one. You can do whatever you want. Except be in Section. You can have someone who loves you, truly, madly, deeply. You can have a daughter who loves you dearly. Don't you understand what I am offering you?

Nikita: I understand. Your offer appeals to the old me. I would have taken it up in a heartbeat. But now, all I want in life, is Michael. He loves me. Also, in Section I do something I could do no where else, I can save millions of lives. At what point should my selfish needs overpower the needs of the people? The choice comes down to something simple. Would I rather have wonderful afternoons drinking tea and watching stupid shows on TV, or save lives, thousands of people live longer because of Section every day. We affect the world. I want to have a part in it. This is the choice that Michael made, and it's the choice I have made. I'm sorry.

Gray sighs. At that moment, Michael turns around quickly and punches Gray in the Kidney. Gray falls to the ground immediately and curls up, groaning. Nikita picks up the gun Gray dropped and points it at him. She then looks at Michael.

Nikita: So, do you want to take him to the White Room or should I?

Little did Nikita and Michael know that Gray had an accomplice. Nor did they realize that Gray wasn't hurt as badly as he was pretending.

All of a sudden Gray kicked out his leg and hit Michael behind the knee, knocking him off balance and throwing him into Nikita. As Nikita and Michael fell to the ground, the gun flew out of Nikita hands.

Just then, Nikita saw another pair of legs enter the room. Someone reached down and picked up the gun. Nikita looked up and couldn't believe her eyes.

"VISCANO!" Nikita exclaimed. "But, I thought you were dead!"

By this time Michael had turned around and was trying to assess the situation. He figured the two of them could overpower Viscano with no trouble. Just then, Viscano pulled a second gun out of her vest and threw one to Gray.

"Sorry, Michael. I know how you think. Can't let you try and play hero now. Not when we are all so close to getting what we want. Gray gets Nikita and I finally, finally get you away from her."

Nikita was still in shock. "But you were dead. I saw you fall myself."

Viscano laughed. "Yeah, well ... You and Section gave up on me too quickly. I wasn't quite as dead as you thought. Gray found me and nursed me back to health. Why do you think you couldn't find my body when you went back for it?"

"That's right," Gray continued. I've followed you guys for ages, trying to decide when was the best time to make my move. When Viscano fell into my hands, that made my job easier. It was really quite amazing watching Nikita fall all over herself for you Michael. You really are a jerk. Why can't you give her the one thing she wants? All she wants is you, but you won't let it happen. So now, you've lost your chance. Nikita is coming with me. You and Viscano can have a nice long life together too. Hey, Viz, maybe the four of us can get together some time!" Gray let out a vicious sounding laugh. "Okay, 'Kita', let's go. Time to leave. Say bye, bye to Michael cause you're not going to be seeing him again soon."

Michael stood up. "Uh, Uh, Uh, Michael," Gray continued. "Don't get any ideas. She can shoot you just as well as let you live. And I might do it myself, just to have the pleasure of Nikita knowing she will never, ever have a chance with you again."

Michael spoke. "You don't really think you can get out of here do you? Section will never let you go. And don't think I won't tell them as soon as you leave."

Viscano laughed. "Don't think so Mikey. You see, you and I are leaving too. NOW!"

As the foursome stood quietly, Michael looked to Nikita. He didn't know how they were going to get out of this one, but he knew that he was not leaving Nikita. He was not letting Gray take her from him. Not when they were finally opening up to one another.

Standing stubbornly, and refusing to move, Michael ran down a list of possible sims for handling the situation at hand. But, unbeknownst to him, the situation was about to resolve itself.

As Gray grabbed Nikita roughly by the arm, and Michael moved as if to interfere, Viscano spoke up. "Hold it right there, lover," she warned. "We wouldn't want to see anything happen to you... Or Nikita... Like an accident or such."

As Viscano said this, her gun and her gaze never veered from Michael. Then, after looking to Nikita, and smiling smugly, Viscano began to wag her gun, motioning Michael to proceed ahead of her.

"Come on lover," she began, "I think we need to leave these two to get 'reacquainted'."

As Michael looked one last time to Nikita, he saw a look of fear and uncertainty cross her face. *She thinks I am going to let Gray have her* he thought to himself. *But, it shouldn't surprise me,* he thought, *considering our past record of trust *.

Moving slowly forward, Michael waited for the precise moment to make his move. When that moment came, and Michael was preparing to act, a gunshot rang out.

Turning and looking behind him, Michael saw Viscano slowly crumple, and fall to the floor. She had been shot in the head, and had died instantly.

Gray, turning suddenly, released his hold on Nikita. When he did, Nikita kicked out with all her strength, making contact with Gray’s mid-section. Gray’s gun flew from his hand, and landed with a resounding *clang* on the floor. Michael quickly stepped past Gray, and recovered the weapon, bringing it to bear on Gray.

As he did, he looked to Nikita, making sure she was okay. Nikita looked up, and smiling, nodded an affirmative. Then, as Michael turned his attention back to Gray, Viscano’s assassin stepped through the door and into the room.

"Madeline?" Nikita said, in a hushed whisper.

Madeline only smiled, as the gun in her hand hung casually at her side.

***

Michael crossed the lobby, and ascended the stairs to Operations observation deck. Once there, he moved just slightly inside the door, and waited.

Madeline and Operations, engaged in conversation, spoke in low and hushed tones.

Breaking off eye contact from Madeline, Operations looked towards Michael, and signaled him to enter. 'I trust that both you and Nikita are rested up from your recent ordeal?' Operations queried, with an unreadable expression on his face.

“Yes. We are fine,” Michael answered, his face expressionless and unrevealing. He stood, completely still, his feet shoulder width apart, and his hands crossed casually in front of him.

“We were just discussing the outcome of the Pakistan mission,” Madeline offered, “any thoughts?” Michael looked from Madeline, to Operations, and then back to Madeline.

“I have not had a chance to see the profile. Is that why you called me up here?” He ventured.

A sly smile quickly crossed Operations lips, before disappearing again. “No Michael. We called you up here to make sure that the recent events are not misconstrued or misinterpreted in the future. We want to make sure they we are all on the same page.”

Michael, his blank stare firmly in place, looked to Madeline. “'I have made my report. Gray posed as Jurgen, in the attempt to get Nikita away from Section. He had Viscano as an accomplice, and she in turn tried to abduct me as well. They were both stopped, Viscano and Gray both being canceled.”

Operations turned and looked to Madeline, then back to Michael. “Very well Michael. You may go now.”

Michael paused a moment, then turned and walked through the door, and descended the steps.

After Michael had left, Madeline turned to look at Operations. “When he finds out that Gray was working for us, and that he has not been canceled, he could prove to be a problem.”

Operations turned, and gazing out the window of the observation deck, looked down on the lobby. As he did, Michael crossed the lobby, and met with Nikita in the center. They both stopped, and appeared to be having a discussion.

“By the time that he catches on, Nikita will no longer be a problem. And, until then, we can use her to control him.” Operations answered, then smiled smugly.

Madeline looked down at Michael and Nikita, then over at Operations. “I hope you are right. We are playing with fire here. And I for one do not want to get burnt.” She then turned and exited the observation deck, leaving Operations alone with his thoughts.

Michael and Nikita stood in the center of the lobby, as Michael casually looked around. “Michael, what did they say?” Nikita asked.

“Nothing of importance. Just do as we planned. Don't let your guard down, and stay alert. They will trip up, and when they do, that is when we will have them.” Michael then moved past Nikita, and headed for his office.

As he did, Nikita looked back over her shoulder. Once he was out of site, Nikita glanced back up at the observation deck. When she did, she saw Operations looking down at her, smiling.