She had been on the streets too long now. She had hustled people for a long time. She finally had a little money saved, but it was time to get a job. Time to find a real place to live. But, what could she do? She could get a job at one of the local fast food joints, but she really didn't want to do that. Of course, if push came to shove, that's what she would have to do.

As Nikita wandered around town, her mind was full of these thoughts. Just where could she get a job? Who would hire someone like her? What was she good at? She was good with people, once they got past the way she dressed and her smart alec attitude. If she cleaned herself up a little, someone might just give her a chance.

She was halfway down the street when she turned her head to look in the nearest store window. It was an art shop that had just opened a few month ago. And then she saw it. A "Help Wanted" sign in the window. She couldn't believe her luck. She started for the door and then stopped. She couldn't go in looking like this. She looked like a street punk. She had to get some new clothes and clean up a bit. There was a thrift shop around the corner. So, that's where she headed.

The shopkeeper eyed her warily when she entered the thrift shop, but she gave him her best smile and he seemed to thaw out a little. She went straight for the clothes racks and picked out a few nice pairs of jeans, slacks and a few blouses. She paid for her purchases and thanked the shopkeeper for his help. By the time she had left the store, she had the shopkeeper treating her as if she were his best friend.

Next, she headed for the local McDonalds. Once inside, she headed for the restroom where she could change into some of her new clothes. She put on a new pair of jeans and a blue silky blouse. She washed her face and hands and combed her hair. By the time she was back on the street she looked like a totally different person. She walked with confidence and many fellow pedestrians smiled and said hello to her. She felt like she was on top of the world.

She entered the art store and looked around a bit. The shop sold art supplies and a few paintings were displayed for sale. They also specialized in custom frames. She didn't think it looked like anything she couldn't handle. A small woman approached Nikita as she wandered around the shop.

"May I help you?" the woman inquired.

Nikita turned to face her and smiled. "I was looking for the manager. I saw your help wanted sign and thought I'd inquire about the job," Nikita replied.

The woman smiled back at her and said "Oh, that would be me. I'm Avery Amani. This is my shop. I have an opening for a full-time salesperson." Nikita took Avery's hand and introduced herself.

"My name is Nikita. What kind of work would be involved?," she asked.

Avery took Nikita's arm and headed for a room in the back. "Let's go to my office and discuss it. My sister is helping me watch the store until I can find a full-time salesperson. Would you like some coffee or tea or something?" she offered. When Nikita replied that she would love a cup of tea, Avery poured her a cup and handed it to her. "The job would be 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. Occasionally I might need you to work on Saturday mornings when I am away. You would mainly be responsible for taking care of the customers, and when you are not busy with customers, checking the shelves to make sure that the supplies are restocked. It really isn't that much of a job, but I do need the help. The pay is $8.00 an hour. And you would have two weeks vacation every year. You would also be eligible for medical benefits after a three month probation period. Do you have questions you would like to ask?"

"Just one question," Nikita answered. "Do I have to have experience, because I can tell you right now that I have never done this kind of work before."

Avery smiled at her. She really liked this girl, even if she did need to learn how to chew gum. "No, Nikita, experience is not required. I would be willing to give you a try, if you want, and see how it goes. I am usually here everyday, but I am busy in the back doing the custom framing, ordering supplies, dealing with artists who want me to sell their paintings. That kind of thing. So, if you have any problems, I should be here to ask any questions."

Nikita couldn't believe her luck. Her first try for a job and she got it. Life was good! "I'll take it," Nikita said and shook hands with Avery. As they got up, Avery volunteered to show Nikita around. It took about an hour to show Nikita everything and give her a crash course on the cash register. Then Avery asked her to fill out the appropriate work application and W2 forms. She noticed Nikita hesitating over the forms and asked if there was a problem.

"No. It's just that, well, I don't have a place to live yet, so I don't have anything to put for "Home address."

Avery studied her for a minute and then spoke. "Well, I have a spare apartment upstairs here. It's not a lot ... but, if you are interested, you could take a look at it."

Nikita didn't know what to say. This woman had already been so kind to her. "If you don't mind, I'd love to see it," Nikita finally answered. Avery took Nikita upstairs and showed her the furnished apartment. It was very nice with a bedroom, living area, kitchen and bath. There was even a spare room. And it was furnished very nicely.

Nikita loved it. She really couldn't believe her luck. But then she stopped. She would probably never be able to afford this place. "It's very nice," Nikita told Avery, "but ..." Avery noticed Nikita's hesitation and knew what the problem was.

"Let's make a deal. I'll let you have the place for $200 a month if you agree to keep an eye on the building for me. I'm not always around and I really can't afford a security system yet, so it would ease my mind to know that someone was staying here keeping an eye on things."

"I accept" Nikita replied immediately.

As Nikita was getting ready to leave Avery asked "Nikita can you start tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sure," Nikita replied. As Nikita headed out the door Avery called to her "Nikita just one more thing ... lose the gum." She smiled as she said it, so Nikita could not take offense. She waved to Avery and left to get the rest of her things.

Avery went to her office as soon as Nikita left and booted up her computer. She checked for email and then sent the following message:

TO: Chief, H&S Section

FROM: AA

MESSAGE: Everything going as planned. Contact with first target made. Proceeding smoothly. Will report again tomorrow.

She sent the message and then closed the shop for the day.

***********

CHAPTER TWO

The next day Nikita showed up for work promptly at 8:55 a.m. Avery was there already and welcomed Nikita with a bright smile. Nikita was so beautiful, once you really looked at her. If she spent a little time on herself, used a little makeup, she would be a knock-out. Maybe, in a few days, she would take Nikita aside and talk to her about it. But for now, she was just glad to have such a nice person working in her store.

The day was moving right along for Nikita. She had quite a few customers to deal with and she helped Avery restock some shelves. It was around 3:00 in the afternoon when the bell over the door sounded. Nikita headed for the front of the store to see if she could help the new customer. As she approached the front of the store, she could see a man had entered. He was checking out the paint and paintbrushes. As she headed in his direction, he looked up at her. She couldn't believe her eyes. He was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. The long wavy brown hair and those green eyes. They looked right into your soul. He was dressed in black jeans and a black shirt.

She couldn't believe her eyes. She knew she had to say something, but her brain and her mouth didn't seem to be cooperating with each other. She opened her mouth to speak and she managed to smile and say "Hello." And then her brain spasmed.

The man said "Hello" to her and returned his attention to the paints. Nikita thought it sounded like he had a french accent. Wow ... drop dead gorgeous and an accent to boot. Nikita moved to the front of the store and began arranging the display on the counter. However, she managed to keep an eye on the man. She just couldn't seem to stop looking at him.

He had moved to look over the canvases when Avery walked in. She noticed the man and immediately went to greet him. They talked for a while and then the man decided on his purchases. He brought three canvases and some paint and brushes to the counter. Avery was watching from the back of the store. She noticed that Nikita seemed quite taken with the man. She had seen him toss a few glances Nikita's way as well. Things were progressing nicely.

Nikita rang up his purchases and began to place the items in bags. She was so nervous. She was just about finished when she dropped a jar of paint on the floor and it burst. There was blue paint everywhere. All over her new jeans and sneakers and, of course, all of the bags under the counter.

"I'm so sorry" Nikita blurted out and proceeded to turn three different shades of red. Then the man spoke.

"Don't worry, I'll just get another jar. Accidents happen. Please don't worry about it. You should go get cleaned up. I'll wait."

Nikita thanked the man and promptly headed for the back stairs. How could she be so stupid? And on her first day of work! Avery would probably fire her on the spot. Well, it was fun while it lasted. This time tomorrow I'll probably be back on the streets and looking for a new job. It's a good thing I live upstairs, she thought. At least I can get cleaned up and changed in a jiffy.

A few minutes later Nikita returned dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and shoes. She noticed that Avery and the man were talking at the counter. He had actually waited. Now she was really embarrassed. As she came near, she decided to just apologize and take her lumps.

"I'm really sorry, sir. I don't know how I could have dropped that jar. And I'm sorry to make you wait. Since I have inconvenienced you so, I'll pay for your purchases."

The man turned at looked at Nikita. She was quite a lovely young woman. "Nonsense" he replied. "As I said, accidents happen. You haven't kept me waiting long, and I really had nowhere to be so, let's just forget about it."

Nikita smiled and said "Thank you."

Just as Nikita was about to move around the counter, the man reached out and rubbed his thumb across her cheek. She froze. What was he doing? Why was he touching her face? Her expression must have showed her questions because the man smiled and spoke up.

"You had a small spot of paint on your cheek." Nikita smiled in return and thanked him. Then she handed him a cloth that had been laying on the counter.

"Now you're the one that needs to clean up" she told him as she handed him the cloth to wipe his thumb off. The man took the cloth and wiped his thumb off. He graciously thanked Nikita again and then turned to Avery and bid her farewell.

"Goodbye, Michael. See you tomorrow," Avery replied.

Avery had watched the exchange between Michael and Nikita with great interest. Things were definitely progressing nicely. The rest of day passed peacefully and the shop was closed. Nikita went upstairs and Avery retreated to her office and once again sent a message:

TO: Chief, H&S Section

FROM: AA

MESSAGE: Things progressing better than expected. Target #2 contacted. Targets 1 and 2 have met. Things look promising. Will report again when things have moved along further.

After sending her missive, Avery worked on reports and orders for the shop. Then, a couple of hours later, decided to visit Nikita. She went upstairs and knocked on the door. She could hear loud music coming from inside. As soon as she knocked, the music was turned down and Nikita came to the door.

"Hi Avery. Did you need something?" Nikita asked.

"No, I just thought I'd stop in for a visit, if you don't mind" Avery replied.

Nikita motioned her inside and offered her a cup of tea. "Thank you" Avery said as she accepted the cup.

As she looked around the apartment, Avery noticed some wire sculptures hanging on the wall. Some were very simple ... a fish, an apple, apair of glasses, but some where more complex. They were not definite shapes, more like feelings expressed.

"Nikita," Avery began "where did you get these wire sculptures? They are quite interesting."

Nikita turned to Avery and said "Oh, those things? I do them in my spare time."

"Really?" Avery replied. "They are quite good. Have you ever considered selling them?"

Nikita laughed at that. "Yeah right. Now who would want to buy those things?" she asked.

"You would be surprised" was Avery's response. "I would love to put a few in my shop and see what happens. What do you say?"

Nikita was flabbergasted. Never in her wildest dreams did she think that her spare time hobby would be something anyone else would be interested in.

"Well, I guess, if you think it would be worth it. Just don't be disappointed when no one wants them," Nikita finally said. Avery selected a few and asked if it was okay for her to take those particular ones.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Nikita finally agreed.

Nikita figured that Avery had come here to fire her, so she figured she'd just take the bull by the horns and get the ball rolling. "I'm really sorry about dropping that jar of paint today. What a mess. I can't believe I was so clumsy."

Avery smiled at her and said "Don't worry about it. As Michael said, accidents do happen. Just be glad you spilled the paint on yourself and not him."

Michael. So that was his name. It suited him -- like the archangel. Nikita could still remember the jolt of electricity she felt when he touched her. She was sure for a moment, from the look in his eyes,that he had felt it too.

"So, you know this Michael?" Nikita asked. She hoped she sounded nonchalant when she asked. She didn't want Avery to think she was interested in him.

"Yes. Michael has been coming to my store since it first opened. He's an artist ... he paints for a living. And today I finally managed to get him to agree to let me sell a few of his paintings. I've been after him for quite a while, but he was always reluctant. But, after you went to change clothes this afternoon, we started talking and he finally agreed. Maybe I should have hired you when I first opened up. You seem to be bringing me good luck," Avery finished with a smile.

Nikita couldn't contain her curiosity. "So does he live around here? I bet he has a gorgeous wife and they live in a posh apartment downtown."

Avery smiled at Nikita's subtle questioning. "Actually, he single and he lives in a log house up in the hillside. He likes his privacy. Says it helps him to paint." Nikita released a sigh and looked up at Avery guiltily.

Avery laughed and said "Don't worry Nikita. I won't tell him that you have a crush on him. Besides, I think he was taken with you, too." Nikita once again turned all shades of red and didn't know what to say.

"Yeah, right," she finally managed. "What would a gorgeous guy like that see in me?"

That was just the lead-in that Avery was looking for. Nikita and Avery finished their tea and then Avery very gently told Nikita about the use of makeup. They even sat down in the bathroom and tried it. Nikita couldn't believe how different she looked. She even looked kind of glamorous.

Avery was continuing to speak and Nikita decided she had better listen. "You could even use some rollers or a curling iron and curl your hair. Do it up really nice if you had a special evening out."

Nikita laughed and said "Yeah, like that's gonna happen anytime soon." Avery smiled and quipped "Well, you just never know. Fate can be a funny thing." After a few more minutes of makeup and hair tips, Avery said she had to leave. She left and returned to her home. She couldn't believe the progress she was making. She had even managed to get Nikita to agree to a shopping trip this weekend, after Nikita got paid. Things were definitely looking up.