TWIST OF THE HEART

Nikita saw the look of pain cross his eyes, surprised by the lack of effort from him to hide it. In fact, he seemed to show it plainly as he stared back at her, shamed into a silence he wasn’t sure of how to break. Hardening her heart again, Nikita shook her head; both hands went to the back of her head as she looked down at the floor between them.

I can’t have this conversation with you again Michael. I just don’t have the strength to deal with it or you right now. She paused and turned towards the door, hand on the handle.

Nikita…

His voice once again made her pause. How she wanted to be with him yet the memory of what he had done to her pulled her back abruptly, once again, hardening her heart to him. Without looking back, she opened the heavy door and all but ran from him, knowing she was never going to escape him, and not knowing if she really wanted to.

Another 2 weeks had passed and mission after mission, they performed like a matched pair, perfect and deadly. No one knew of the anguish each was feeling, never picking up on the covert looks they gave when the other wasn’t looking. No one, except for the brown eyes watching them from her screen.

Madeline sipped her tea, taking notes on their performance levels. She was disappointed in the 1.5% drop in Michael's. Perhaps it was the fact a smiling albeit a falsely smiling Nikita had been seen in the company of a few different operatives. She set her cup of tea down and switched off the cam, turning her attention to a set of new Sims.

It hadn’t gone unnoticed by anyone with a set of eyes within Section there was trouble in paradise. Walter frowned to himself as he watched Michael watching Nikita and a particularly handsome young man, a Valentine op just transferred in from Section 4 in deep conversation over a panel. Michael was extremely subtle in his observance of the two, and was of course; wearing the ever calm and cool mask he always wore. Walter knew them both better. He wondered how long Michael would take her efforts to hurt him without taking action.

Michael felt his stomach turn in knots, the unwanted feeling of hatred spread into his stomach as he watched the man place his hand on her waist ever so casually. The past 2 weeks were hell on his emotions, making it increasingly hard for him to keep any peace of mind. He was quickly finding out just how deeply he was involved in her life. How much he needed her with him. Needing anyone was a foreign requirement he thought and foolishly believed up until this very moment. The truth seemed to hit him in the chest, making drawing a normal breath difficult.

It was then Nikita happened to look up and see him standing by his door, hand on the handle, unmoving. It was impossible to see his face as he stood in a shadow but she didn’t need the light to tell her what was in his heart. Time stood still for an instant and before she could react, he had disappeared into his office, leaving her to her mixed emotions once again. Scowling, her attention was brought back by a shake on her hip.

Well okay, you don’t do Chinese,,, how about Italian? David’s sparkling eyes crinkled at the edges as he waited for her answer.

What? Nikita stammered, embarrassed she had seemed to totally tune him and everything out around her.

David pulled her gently against his hip as he steered her towards the gym. Dinner,,, I was asking you out for dinner….

Falling into step alongside him Nikita nodded and tried to hide her sudden change in mood and feeling towards him, cursing Michael’s power over her heart even now. There was no denying it,,, she knew she couldn’t be with anyone but him.

You know, David,, as flattering as that is,,, I have to pass. She tried to be nice as possible and he thankfully backed down right away, pulling his hand from her waist, holding both hands up in mock surrender.

Ok,,,, it’s the dreaded F word I am hearing. He grinned good-naturedly at her obvious confusion. F as in friends. He supplied the explanation she was looking for.

Thank you. She said gratefully at his good graces to let things lie.

No problem,,, besides,, how can a mere mortal like me compete with him?

Once again Nikita wore a confused look.

Michael. David said his name smoothly, motioning back behind them as they turned the corner.

That obvious huh? She muttered feeling vulnerable and hating it all the more as David was so good about it.

Well I might be new, but I am not blind. As much as you try to hide it, you got it bad for the man. If he has half a brain, he feels it too.

Nikita nodded looking away. Lets just say,,, he has that half a brain David. She mumbled grateful when he seemed not to hear her remark. Tonight, she was determined to get this out in the open with Michael. It had been 2 weeks too long of living in misery. Too long for both of them.

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