| Eternal Love |
| “Birkoff” Ops called from his unit in his office “Update on Mission Status?” “Intel is still sketchy but contacts relay that the deal is not going down for 8 days. Negotiation problems.” Birkoff reported shrugging his shoulders. Ops turned away and began pacing his office. Michael and Nikita were required for this mission. There was not another couple in section that could pull this off. None of them had the required tactical or field experience and none definitely had the emotions that were a necessity of this mission. ‘Damn!’ Ops swore to himself. ‘What could have happened to Nikita to put her into this kind of mentality problem when they needed her skills most?’ Ops walked over to his vidcom, “Madeline, Update?” he asked. “None as of yet. The doctors have examined her; there is nothing wrong with her physically. I was on my way there now to see her for myself.” “Fine keep me posted” Ops told her. Madeline turned her vidcom off and exited her office heading for Med Lab. After she had entered Med Lab she gasped when she saw Nikita! She had never ever seen someone look so worn down emotionally or so quickly. She had been laughing and annoying ops just hours earlier and now this. The progression had exceeded record time. Now Madeline was worried. Madeline slowly examined Nikita noting that she just seemed to be in a regression stage. They needed to pull her out of that and fast! They would need her on the mission-no one else could replace her. Madeline went over to the comm on the wall and punched in Michael’s code. “Yes?” Michael asked. “Med Lab Now Michael” she ordered. “On my way” he replied as he signed off. He was getting a sinking feeling about Madeline’s tone of voice. Her voice was always calm and reassuring and positive. The closer he got to Med Lab the worse the knot in his stomach got. Michael walked into Med Lab slowly unsure of what he would find. Madeline was waiting for him, “Follow me please” she instructed. Michael obeyed without question. When he saw who was lying in the bed he gasped and ran over to her. “Kita?” he whispered. He stood there and gazed at her for long moments trying to put together in his head how this had happened. He had been talking with her mere moments before. Angry words, he remembered. Michael regained his composure and directed questions at Madeline. “What’s wrong with her?” “I’m not sure but I think it’s a fast paced regression stage. I’ve never seen the progression happen this quickly but it’s the only theory I have for the moment.” Madeline responded. “And the treatment?” Michael asked. “She feels safer where she is right now. Something here has made her want to create her own perfect world and until she feels the urgency or need to come back to this life-if she ever does then she will not want to leave from where she is right now. We need to find something or someone to bring her back…..” Madeline hesitated for a moment, “YOU” she replied. Michael suddenly felt guilty for shutting her out and taking his anger out on her. “What do we do?” “Not we. You.” Madeline replied. “I want you to take her to your loft and keep her there. Talk to her. Cherish her. Let her know that someone cares.” Madeline replied softly. “I will stop in in one week to check up on her. You will have that much time to help her. The mission cannot be postponed longer than that. Michael’s anger suddenly overcame him, “That’s all you care about Madeline! You’re damn numbers and missions! Well to hell with them! I will not be doing any work until Nikita is back to full capacity!” “Michael this is not my fault! I’m not the one that did this to her! You have one week to repair what you have damaged” and she walked out of Med Lab shakily but managing to obtain her cool Mona Lisa era. Michael looked at her again. His angel…she looked so deaths like, so pale. How could this have happened. He had been talking with her with what seemed like mere seconds ago. ‘Not talking, yelling’ Michael corrected himself. It wasn’t fair. He’d never meant to hurt her this bad. He had already caused her so much pain and heartache; all he wanted to do was to love her until he died now. Just to be with her. Was that too much to ask? In section it was. ‘Kita.’ He whispered. She flinched a little but nevertheless it was a movement and that small sign gave Michael hope. Michael slowly picked her up gently and pulled her into his arms like a baby. She was such a necessary part of him….she was his soul mate….his other half. She seemed to fit into his arms like that of a broken heart fitting into a puzzle. Her blonde head lay over his heart listening to the steady beat while he carried her gently out of the Med Lab hell and into life and freedom. Once back at the loft Michael slowly undressed Nikita on his bed and put her to bed. She was not quite as pale and there was a little color in her cheeks now but she was still lifeless. Michael bent down on his knees and kissed the pulse that was beating steadily on the inside of her wrist’s pulse. He grabbed his rosary and folded her hand into his as he began to pray for her…asking God to bring her back to him. It wasn’t her time to die for if it was then it was his too. He stayed like that for a long while. Suddenly it happened. She moved. Her body felt like it was being woken up. She stirred but kept her hand in Michael’s as if even in unconsciousness she knew his touch and felt safe and protected in it. He smiled as he gained more hope. After that she did not move for 2 days but remained in the same position. Michael stayed with her throughout these days and just sat and talked to her about anything and everything. He hoped that it would bring her comfort-his presence with her. Would it help? He hoped so but only time would tell. |
| Part 6 |