Chapter 1

"Josephine."

Nikita closed her cell phone and got out of bed. How she had come to hate that word - "Josephine." It wasn't the name she hated. It wasn't the way it was spoken; no she actually loved to hear him say it. Michael had that wonderful French accent - the name actually sounded sexy when he said it. It was what the name signified that she hated. Her code name. Whenever she heard it, she had to jump like a puppet. It usually meant there was a mission to get ready for - probably somebody she would have to end up killing. A terrorist scum somewhere in the world that needed to be taken out or captured.

This is what her life now consisted of. She had actually gotten used to it, though. It didn't get to her too much anymore, only if there were innocent victims of their actions, or when the day started like this. Being jolted out of a peaceful, restful sleep - something that could be very rare in Section - was not a great way to start the day. The day usually went downhill from there. Today would prove to be no different. Nikita showered, changed and headed straight to Section. When she arrived, things seemed quiet. If there was a mission on deck, it must be a small one. There wasn't much activity at all. She headed for Michael's office to see exactly why he had called her in. She knocked on the door.

"Come in," he called. Nikita walked in and closed the door behind her.

"Hey Michael. Are we going out on a mission?" she asked the handsome man behind the desk. Michael continued typing into the computer for a few more seconds and then looked up at her. His eyes were, as usual, blank. Oh, but what eyes they were ... beautiful green eyes. On a few rare occasions she had actually glimpsed Michael's soul through those eyes, but that didn't happen often. Michael kept his emotions tightly in check. He didn't let anyone get too close, not even her.

Michael claimed to trust her and, on occasion, she believed that he did. Of course, he trusted her on missions, with his life. But it was his heart and soul that he kept closely guarded. That was the part of Michael she desperately wanted to get to know and the part that he kept very well hidden. He had been hurt deeply in the past, she understood that. He seemed to think that because of what he had done in the past, what he continued to do now, he no longer had a soul - that he didn't deservelove. She had been trying to get him to see how wrong he was, to prove to him that he actually did have a soul ... that he was a caring man. She hadn't been very successful yet.

"Yet." That was another word she didn't really care for anymore. Michael had told her a while ago after a mission - one in which they had pretended to be man and wife and had actually been intimate - that he couldn't tell her what she needed to hear ... yet. After the mission was over they had been discussing it and how they felt about what had happened between them. He had said he felt "conflicted." She had offered to talk it through with him and that's when he'd said it. He couldn't tell her "yet." She wondered if he would ever say it. Right now she wasn't too sure.

Michael had been watching the emotions play across her face for the past few seconds while she waited for him to answer her. She was beautiful. She had a very expressive face and he loved to just watch theexpressions play across it. He could always tell whether she was angry, happy, sad, upset, bored, surprised, or impatient by watching her face. He wondered what she was thinking about now. So many different emotions playing across her face, but mostly sadness. She was probably thinking about him again. He wished he could give her what she needed right now and make the sadness disappear. But the time was just not right. He had to wait until he had all his ducks in a row. He needed a bit more power - he was close, but he couldn't tell her. Not yet.

He saw she was getting impatient and realized that he hadn't answered her. "No, Nikita, we aren't going out on a mission. Operations and Madeline have been thinking about promoting you to mission profiler. In order to see if you are qualified, you must be tested." Now came the tricky part. Trying to tell her enough of the truth that she would believe him, and not tell her too much. She couldn't really know what was behind the test. If she found out she would fly off the handle and that would really mess things up.

Nikita was watching Michael closely. She decided to ask. "I need to be tested? Michael, our lives in Section are nothing but one big test. What exactly do you mean "tested?"

Okay, he could handle this one. "You are going to be given some computer tests. The testing will last for 72 hours. You won't be allowed to sleep. You will be confined to the testing room. You will be given short breaks to use the bathroom and to eat your meals. You will see no one but the operative that delivers your meals. Other than that, you will do nothing but take the tests."

Nikita was instantly suspicious. She studied Michael's face, especially his eyes. He had the blank stare down to a science, but somehow she could still usually read his eyes. She knew he was withholding something, but she also knew that if he didn't want her to know, he would never tell her. So, she did what she always did, she got mad and took it out on him. "What do you mean, Michael, I won't be allowed to sleep? Do you realize how little sleep I've had lately? We've been on three exhausting missions in the past two weeks. I've had a total of maybe ten hours of sleep in those two weeks. How do they expect me to work on profiles if I can't keep my eyes open? And I'm gonna be locked in the same room for three whole days, not allowed to see anyone?"

She knew this wasn't Michael's fault, he was only doing what he was told. It wasn't his idea to put her through this test. However, she couldn't stop herself. She couldn't blow up at Operations and Madeline too often so Michael always got the brunt of her anger. She continued her ranting, "Okay, spill it. What am I being punished for now? I haven't screwed up a mission in ages. What's really going on here Michael? I guess Operations just wants me to fail so he can finally cancel me. That's it, isn' it?"

Michael almost flinched, but he caught himself. He couldn't show any reaction at all. She just didn't know how close she was to the truth. But it wasn't only her life on the line. It was his as well. But he couldn't tell her that. That was part of the test - his part. Was he more loyal to Section or to Nikita. Could he get her to take the test without really letting her know what was behind it, what it consisted of, and what the consequences would be if she failed. So he did what he does best, he ignored her questions. "Meet me at Testing Room 2 in ten minutes. I need to check on some things and then I will be there."

Nikita looked at him for a few seconds, trying to decide if she would get anything else out of him. She knew it was a lost cause, so she just said fine and left. "The Test" was not a well-known fact around Section. Only those who had been through it, like Michael, or those who had been there forever, like Walter, Section One's weapons and equipment designer, knew what it consisted of, or what it was really about. It was designed to test not only the subject, but their trainer/mentor as well. Part of the test was to see whether the mentor could get the trainee to take the test without revealing too much information, without explaining the "whole" test.

Michael had achieved the highest score ever in this test. That was one reason Michael was next in line for the position of Operations. That, and the fact that he is the best operative Section ever had. The purpose of the test was to see how well the subject could think on her feet, strategize, plan under duress, and, of course, how well the mentor had trained them. If the score was too low, the subject was canceled and the mentor would be placed into abeyance. If the mentor told the testee too much information, then the mentor was canceled. The subject was, however, never told what would occur during the test. Simply that they were being tested for a possible position as a mission profiler.

When Nikita left Michael's office, she headed for Birkoff's station. The young computer genius seemed to always be at his station. Didn't he ever sleep? "Hey Birkoff," Nikita greeted him. "What's up?"

Birkoff looked up at Nikita and smiled. "Hi Nikita. Nothing much, just running some sims for Operations. Kind of slow around here right now." Nikita laughed and replied, "Well, that's a good thing for a change, right?" Birkoff smiled and said "Yeah, it is. By the way, what are you doing here so early? There aren't any missions on deck."

Nikita studied Birkoff's face for a minute. She could always tell when he was lying. He really didn't seem to know why she was there, which was odd. Birkoff ran communications and systems for all of Section One. He usually knew everything that was going on. "Madeline and Operations want to test me for some mission profiler job" she finally responded.

Birkoff looked surprised. He couldn't believe they would take one of their best operatives out of the field and make her a mission profiler. Not that he didn't think Nikita could do the job. She'd be good at it. But she and Michael made the best team Section had. It didn't make much sense to him.

Just then two operatives, Simmons and Hathaway, walked by Birkoff's station. Hathaway was talking. Just as they passed the Comm Center, Hathaway said, "Yeah, I talked to Michael early this morning. He told me he went out with that new recruit, Ariel, last night. From the sounds of it, they had quite a night. Seems like the iceman is thawing!!! Said he was definitely going to be asking her out again. He claims he's tired of Nikita hanging all over him. He wished she would find somebody else to get all gaga over. Hey, maybe I'll apply for that job. She's one good lookin' woman!" Hathaway was laughing as they disappeared around the corner.

Birkoff was just sitting there with his eyes bugging out. He wasn't about to turn around and look at Nikita. He knew she would be livid. The best course of action here was to just not say a word. Forget it ever happened, go back to running those sims.

Nikita was floored. She couldn't believe her ears. How could he? She had invited Michael over for dinner last night. He had agreed to come, but he left early saying he had too much paperwork to catch up on after their last three missions. He promised the next time he would stay longer and they would really talk. The next time ... yeah right. When pigs fly!! Hey, if that's the way he felt, that was fine with her. She wouldn't waste another minute of his precious time. He could have all the recruits he wanted. He didn't have to hit her over the head. She knew when to quit ... and the time was now. She made some sound like "see ya later" to Birkoff and then headed off for Testing Room 2.

Nikita was seething by the time Michael arrived. She had her back to him, but he could tell immediately by the way she was holding herself so stiff that something was wrong. She was angry ... very angry. This was not good. Nikita did not react well when she was angry. She needed to be clear-headed and focused or they were both dead. Maybe he could find out what happened and just deal with it now and get it out of the way. Then they could focus on the test.

"Nikita, what's wrong?" Michael asked. Nikita hadn't heard him come in.

She whirled on him "What's wrong? Nothing's wrong Michael. What could be wrong? I'm here at 5:00 in the morning to take some stupid computer test for the next 72 hours, locked up in this room, not allowed to see another living soul. What could possibly be wrong?"

Michael didn't show it but he was puzzled. Nikita was keeping something from him, and he didn't have a lot of time to get it out of her. He tried a different approach. "Kita, what happened? You were fine a few minutes ago. Now you're ready to explode. Tell me ... let me help."

Nikita laughed at that -- a very nasty laugh. "Let you help, Michael? Now that's rich. I wouldn't want to take up any more of your precious time. You go on back to those reports you were working on so hard last night. I wouldn't want you to miss a filing deadline or anything. Wouldn't want you to think I was hanging all over you or anything. I can deal with this myself. Just tell me what you need to and then leave."

Michael was stunned. What was she talking about? She knew he would always make time for her. And what was that crack about "hanging all over him?" He didn't have a clue what she was talking about, but apparently he had done something else to upset her and it was more than just leaving early to finish his reports last night. He was getting angry but knew he had to keep his composure. If he lost it right now too, they would be finished for sure. Keeping his anger in check, his mind was running in ten different directions at the same time. He would have to find a way to calm her down or she would be canceled.

"Fine. The tests are actually a bunch of computer mission simulations. You will do each one a certain number of times. Every time you repeat a simulation, something about it will change: the amount of time to complete the mission, the number of operatives available, the person/group that is the target, the mission leader, something like that. You will be monitored from a console in another room. When you have finished a sim the allotted number of times, you will automatically be switched to a new one. You will have to be on your toes, constantly alert. You must be prepared for anything. Aside from what I've already told you, that's about it. Do you have any questions?"

Nikita looked at him with eyes that threw daggers at his heart. If looks could kill, he would have died on the spot. "I have just one question Michael. Why didn't you tell me I was such a bother? I would have left you alone. I'm not that desperate you know. Just leave. Get out and don't bother to come back!"

With that, Nikita turned her back on him. Michael stood there for a few minutes trying to find something to say. Hoping she would turn around and say something to him. Anything. He didn't know what could have happened to engender such rage. She needed to get past it quickly and concentrate. He would have to figure it out soon. Time was of the essence. He wanted to go to her, touch her, comfort her. They always seemed to communicate so much better through touch. But he knew he couldn't. They were being monitored. And then Nikita picked that moment to get out of her chair and storm into the bathroom and slam the door shut. He heard the lock turn and knew she wouldn't come out until he was gone. So he turned and walked out and silently shut the door. Whatever was going on, he would get to the bottom of it and fast.

************

Chapter 2

Operations and Madeline were in the observation deck watching the scene that had just played out in Testing Room 2. Operations was beside himself with glee. Everything was going according to plan. Madeline, however, had many reservations. She finally decided to voice at least one. "This could backfire, you know. If Michael decides to start digging and finds out what we told her, he will go ballistic. He will do one of two things. He will either come after us or he will tell Nikita everything. Either way, he will have to be canceled. You will lose your best operative. Do you really want to risk that?"

Operations wasn't concerned. "Michael would never do that. He knows better. He understands how Section works. He is loyal to Section and will do nothing to harm Nikita. He knows if he should come after us, she will die. He knows if he tells her, he will die. They will both die. We've got them right where we want them. Now stop worrying and let's just see how things play out."

Madeline looked at him and replied "But that's my job ... to worry about how things will play out."

Operations had decided to add a slightly different twist to "The Test" this time. He wanted things to be even more difficult. Michael and Nikita seemed to work so well together - too well in his opinion. He also suspected there was more than a working relationship between them. And relationships between operatives that worked together were strictly forbidden in Section, even if Madeline didn't think they were always" such a bad thing." He was actually worried that Michael would try to let Nikita know what was really going on. Even if he didn't, they seemed to have a sixth sense about each other. Each knew when the other was in trouble and did whatever they could to help.

This time was different, though. Right before going into the test, Nikita had "accidentally" overheard Simmons and Hathaway talking about Michael. What they had to say made her angry. Angry enough to throw her off balance. When Nikita got angry, she wasn't usually very rational. If Madeline was right, Nikita would be angry enough about the test itself, but throwing in the information about Michael, well, that should take her anger over the top. Add to it fact that these particular sims would be primarily about betrayal and she'd do herself in quickly. Operations didn't think there was any way Nikita could be detached and logical through all that. This time, he finally had a way of getting rid of her. She might be a good operative, but there was just something about her that he didn't like. He didn't examine that thought too closely; he didn't think he would like what he found out. Madeline, of course, didn't approve of this scenario, but she went along with it because he was in charge. She had tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen. He would have to keep an eye on her as well. He didn't want her finding a way to "help" Michael and Nikita.

************

Chapter 3

Nikita had heard Michael leave the room about five minutes earlier. She was still seething, but was trying to get herself under control. She couldn't believe that he would have the nerve to ask her what was wrong. And then to offer his help. She didn't know why she couldn't learn. He had betrayed, manipulated and used her over and over again, and she kept coming back for more. Well, no more. She might love him, but she would just have to get over it. She would not spend her life pining away for some man who couldn't ... no ... wouldn't let himself love her. That was part of the problem. She really did think that he loved her, he just wouldn't admit it, or let them have a relationship. But then again, maybe she was wrong. Maybe he really didn't know what love was anymore. He had told her that once. Maybe he was right. He had been in Section so long, maybe all he knew was "do the job" whatever it takes. Maybe he really was cold and heartless with no emotions. No. She knew that wasn't right either. She had seen glimpses of what she thought was the "real" Michael. Warm, loving, vulnerable. But they were so rare that she could almost believe she had just imagined them.

She still didn't have her emotions under control, but she knew she had to come out of the bathroom. They were waiting for her to take those stupid tests. Well, too bad. She'd take them when she was good and ready. She walked out of the bathroom and went to sit in the chair by the computer. She saw the first sim come up on the screen after she sat down. She stared at the screen for a while. She was not actually seeing it though. She was replaying Simmons and Hathaway's conversation in her head. Then she started reading the screen. It said "Michael has learned ..." Suddenly she picked up the coffee mug that was sitting next to the computer and threw it across the room. It smashed against the wall and shattered into a thousand little pieces.

From the Observation Booth, Operations was smiling like a Cheshire cat. Standing beside him, however, Madeline was not smiling. She was troubled. She knew that they had probably pushed Nikita too far this time. She knew that Nikita was in love with Michael, and that he most likely returned those feelings. Nikita had been used and betrayed so many times since she had come to Section; Madeline knew that if they continued to manipulate her it would only be a matter of time before she had a breakdown.

Nikita was not like most operatives. She had been innocent when she was "recruited." They hadn't known it at the time, though. She had been found guilty of murdering a cop and sentenced to life in prison. With her looks and her ability to kill in cold blood, she was perfect Section material. So they had taken her - faked her suicide in prison - and brought her here to be trained. Whereas most operatives usually lose their compassion and individuality and conform to Section's way of thinking and morals, Nikita was different. She fought them tooth and nail to keep her spirit and her compassion. Madeline actually admired her for this. Of course, that's what made her a thorn in Operations' side. He wanted all compassion crushed like that coffee mug that Nikita had just thrown across the room. He felt there was no room for compassion in Section. It got in the way of "doing the job." That's probably why Nikita had been suicidal after her first year as an operative. They had been crushing her spirit, torturing her soul, and she couldn't live with that.

But back to the present. Madeline knew she would have to do something. She didn't want to see Nikita canceled. She was a very good operative, even if she did things her own way from time to time. They had clashed quite frequently lately, however, she still felt there was a connection between herself and the young operative. If things had worked out differently, they might have even been friends. Well, at least as close as you can be in Section. But she couldn't dwell on that either. Nikita would not be able to focus if she kept her mind on Michael and what she thought he had done. So, glancing at Operations, she made her decision. She pushed the intercom button and started speaking. "Nikita, is there anything we can do to make you a little more comfortable? Would you like another cup of tea? Anything?"

Nikita was about to make some smart remark to Madeline, when she changed her mind. "Well, yeah, I could use another cup of tea. Sorry about that last one."

Madeline smiled and said "Fine. Someone will bring it to you immediately. Now, please start with the tests."

Nikita stared at the window where she figured Operations and Madeline were probably watching her. Just sat and stared. Operations didn't like it. He was becoming unnerved. How did she know where they were? There was no way she could see them, but it was like she was looking right into his soul. He finally decided to take charge. He hit the intercom and, in his most authoritative voice, told her "Nikita we are not here to watch you sit in a chair. Get busy - now."

With that, Nikita decided she had better at least take a stab at these stupid tests. Starting the first one, she read "Michael has learned from an informant that the terrorist group Dark Moon is planning to unleash a nerve toxin into the city of Montreal in five days. Michael's mission is to "get close" to the sister of the Dark Moon faction's leader and feed Section the intel. His cover has become compromised and he needs to be extracted. The only people who know about the situation are Operations, Madeline and Michael's Section contact ... you. Work up a plausible scenario for retrieving Michael.

"Oh great" Nikita thought. "Just what I need. To spend three whole days thinking about Michael and other women. It just doesn't get any better than this." Just then the door opened and an operative brought her another cup of tea. "Thanks" she said and then started on her first scenario.

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Chapter 4

Back in his office, Michael was replaying this morning's conversation with Nikita over in his head. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, that he had said or done that would have made her so angry. No, it had to be something else. Something that happened after she left his office. But why then would she be so angry at him? He thought for another minute and then decided to check with Walter. Nikita usually confided in Walter, so maybe she told him what was wrong.

Leaving his office, Michael passed by the Comm Center on his way to Walter's station. As he glanced at the Comm Center, he noticed that Birkoff was watching him with an almost hateful expression on his face. "Great," Michael thought to himself, "somebody else that has it in for me. What could I have possibly done to Birkoff to make him mad at me?" Not that it mattered right now. Nikita was his only priority.

Reaching Walter's station, he noticed the older operative was not at his desk. Just then Walter emerged from his "inner sanctum," the storage room where he kept all his "toys." Walter glanced up and saw Michael. "Hey Michael, what can I do for you?" Walter was curious. He hadn't been informed of any missions, hadn't been given any inventory requests, so just why was Michael here? If he had to guess, it would be something to do with Nikita. Not that Michael ever came to him for advice about Nikita.

Michael, not one to waste words, said "Did you see Nikita this morning?"

Walter couldn't believe it. He had guessed right. Now he was worried. If Michael was coming to him, something was definitely up. "No, I haven't seen her. Why? Did something happen?"

Michael stared at Walter for a while, fighting a war within himself. He didn't usually confide in anyone - he never asked anyone for help, except Nikita. However, he knew that Walter had a special relationship with Nikita and would do anything for her. Right now she was in trouble and he needed all the help he could get. With that thought, he made his decision. "Can we talk?" Michael whispered.

Walter looked at Michael for a second and then realized what he was asking - could they talk somewhere that they wouldn't be overheard. He thought for a second and then said "Michael I've been working on this new sight. Could you come down to the test range and try it out for me, let me know what you think?" Michael was glad Walter understood what he was asking.

"Sure, let's go." Michael and Walter went to the test range and Michael started shooting at the target just to make it look good in case they were being monitored. There was video surveillance of the range, but no reason to have audio since they wouldn't be able to hear much anyway. There was no one else at the range at this hour, so they wouldn't be overheard.

Walter decided to get things started. "So Michael, what is it?" Michael lowered the gun and turned to Walter. "Nikita was called in this morning for ‘The Test.'" Walter felt a chill up his spine when he heard those words. "The Test" was serious business. They were either thinking of promoting Nikita, or they wanted her canceled. Either way, this was not a good situation.

Walter studied Michael's face and realized he wouldn't find anything there. Michael was a master at hiding his emotions and feelings. But he knew Michael better than Michael realized. He could tell the young man was very agitated. "Michael, you know there is nothing you can do about it. I know you're worried and I know why. But Nikita is a good operative. She will pass the test with no problem. You trained her, after all, and you are the best."

Michael was shocked by Walter's words. He had no idea that the older man thought of him that way. He usually figured Walter just tolerated him because he had no choice. And for Nikita's sake. Walter chuckled. "Yeah Michael, I know what you're thinking. But, well, it's the truth."

Michael finally found his voice. "There's more to it than that, Walter. Nikita came to my office this morning and I told her about the test. She was fine. I sent her to the Testing Room and told her I'd be there as soon as I checked on something. When I got there, she was angry. Very angry. I don't think I've ever seen her that mad. And she was saying things to me that just didn't make sense."

Walter knew Nikita's temper and how she reacted when she was angry. This was definitely not a good development. "What kind of things did she say?" Walter inquired.

Michael sighed. "When I asked her what was wrong and told her I wanted to help, she laughed. And it wasn't a funny laugh... it was a malicious laugh. She told me that she wouldn't want to take up any more of my precious time. She asked why I hadn't told her she was such a bother, and that I didn't like her hanging all over me. She said she wasn't that desperate, and then she told me to get out and not to come back. I don't know what happened. She was fine when she left my office. Next thing I know, she's just as soon kill me as look at me."

Now Walter was alarmed. Nikita being mad was one thing, but Nikita being mad at Michael was a totally different ball game. When Nikita got mad at Michael, there was no telling what she would do. She could go off the deep end and get herself canceled for no reason. If she thought she and Michael were finished, then all bets were off.

"Michael, go back to your office. I'll see what I can find out. I'll get in touch the minute I know anything. There's nothing more you can do right now. Let's just pray that she is cooperating with the tests." Michael nodded and they left the test range and headed back upstairs. Once Michael had returned to his office, Walter decided to check with Birkoff to see if he knew anything. He called the young computer genius to his station.

"Yeah, Walter, you need something?" Birkoff asked when he arrived. Walter walked over very close to Birkoff and then motioned for him to be quiet.

Walter improvised. "Yeah, Birkoff. I'm having some trouble with my computer in the storage room. Could you take a look at it?"

"Sure," Birkoff answered. They entered the storage room and Walter put a jamming device on the wall so no one would overhear them.

"Birkoff, did you see Nikita this morning?"

Birkoff didn't think anything of Walter asking about Nikita. They were friends. He knew that Walter flirted with Nikita shamelessly and Nikita let him get away with it. He just wondered why Walter would be jamming surveillance to ask about Nikita. "Yeah. She stopped by my station before she went in for testing."

Walter looked surprised at Birkoff. "You know she's here for testing?"

"Yeah, she told me. Operations and Madeline are testing her for a possible promotion to mission profiler."

Walter relaxed. No one was to know what was happening when it came to "The Test." Birkoff would be no exception. But, he still had to find out what happened. "Did she seem okay to you?"

Now Birkoff was getting curious. Did something happen to Nikita while she was being tested? "Well, yeah, she was fine ... at first." Walter looked up. "What do you mean, ‘at first?'" Birkoff looked around and then back to Walter. "Well, she was fine. Then Simmons and Hathaway walked by and they were talking about Michael. Hathaway said that Michael went out with Ariel, the new recruit, last night. Said they had a great time. That Michael was going to be seeing a lot more of her. Hathaway also said that Michael was tired of Nikita hanging all over him and wished she'd find someone else, or something like that. Nikita overheard the whole conversation. I didn't have to look at her to know that she was angry. You could just feel it radiating off of her. She just mumbled something and then left."

Now Walter was mad. How could Michael do something so incredibly stupid.And then spread it around Section so that Nikita would hear it. And right before "The Test." Michael had to have known the test was coming. He was going to give that man a piece of his mind. If he were younger, he'd take him to the training room and kick his butt as well. Now at least he knew what the problem was. Once he confronted Michael, he would figure out how to help Nikita. He thanked Birkoff for his help and then told him to go back to his station. "Oh and Birkoff, Walter continued, "keep this to yourself. We don't want anyone else to know about this. And, I might need your help with something later on." Birkoff assured Walter he would keep quiet and said he would help if he could.

Walter buzzed Michael on the intercom system. "Michael, I've fixed that problem you were having with the sight. Do you have time to check it out again, now?" Michael listened carefully. There was something in Walter's voice ... he sounded angry. He must have found out what happened. "Yes, Walter. I'll be right there."

Michael met Walter at the test range again. He could tell Walter was agitated by the way he was pacing back and forth. "What did you find out?" Michael asked as soon as he was within hearing range. Walter stopped pacing and just stared at Michael. "You know, Michael, I was wrong earlier. You aren't the best. You aren't even close. How could you do that to her? I ought to just shoot you right here. End the misery once and for all."

Michael was reaching his limit. "Walter, what did you find out? What are you talking about? We don't have time for riddles. Do you want to help Nikita or not?" Walter actually laughed at that. "Seems like you don't have time for a lot of things lately Michael. And we wouldn't have to help Nikita if you hadn't created this mess in the first place!" Walter was close to shouting at this point.

"ENOUGH" Michael warned. "Tell me what you found out before I shoot you. And don't think I won't."

Walter realized that he had pushed Michael as far as he could. "Fine. Let me tell you what I heard, or should I say what Nikita heard right before she went in for testing. She heard that you went out with that new recruit Ariel last night. That you had such a wonderful time you were going to be seeing a lot of her. That you were tired of Nikita always hanging all over you and you wished she would find someone else to moon over. THAT'S what Nikita heard."

Michael was speechless. Who would have told her that? It wasn't true. Not a word of it. And if he had been out with someone last night, he certainly wouldn't spread it all over Section. Nikita knew him better than that. Of course, if she had just heard all that, she would fly off in a rage and she wouldn't think things through. She would just assume that he had betrayed her yet again. He had gone over to her place for dinner last night, but left early to finish his reports for Operations. No wonder she believed it, not that he could blame her. He had betrayed her too many times before for her to know that it wasn't the truth.

Walter finally spoke again. "So, Michael, cat got your tongue? Nothing to say for yourself? How could you do that Michael? You had to know she was being tested today. Why would you do that to her? She has never done anything but love you and try to be patient with you and that's the way you repay her? By spreading all over Section how sick and tired of her you are? I guess you were right when you said you had no heart, no soul, no feeling. You couldn't have if you would do something like that to Nikita."

Michael flinched. He hadn't realized how much Nikita confided in Walter. But he should have known. She needed someone to talk to and Walter was like an uncle to her. If there was anyone in Section that she would talk to about him, it would be Walter. Michael finally spoke. "Walter. I don't know where this story came from, but I'm telling you it's not true. None of it. Do you really think I would do something like that to her? You know how I feel about her, even if sometimes I don't. You know what I went through when she was missing for those six months. She is my life. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her."

Walter didn't want to listen. He didn't want to hear anything that Michael would say to justify what he had done. But what he was hearing seemed to be the truth. Yet, he couldn't be sure. "Michael, you have manipulated her so many times in the past, how do you expect anyone to believe it. If Operations told you to spread that story around Section, you would do it without thinking twice. One of these days you are going to seriously regret it too."

Michael knew Walter was at least partially right. If he had been ordered to manipulate Nikita, he probably would have done it. But he hadn't. "Walter, you're right. But please believe me. This time I didn't do it. Someone else is spreading that story."

Walter knew Michael could be cold, but he also knew that he was vulnerable when it came to Nikita. He realized that Michael was telling him the truth. "Okay Michael. I believe you. But who would do that any way? What do they hope to gain. Surely they realize that once Nikita confronted you she would know they were lying."

That's when it hit Michael. He now thought he knew what had happened. "Walter, I think I know what happened. There is only one person who would gain by doing this. Operations. If he got Nikita angry enough before she went in for testing, he figures she will fail and he will be free to cancel her. And he, Madeline and I are the only people who knew she was coming in. No one else could have possibly known."

Walter's eyes lit up with understanding. "Of course. He probably sent Simmons and Hathaway in search of Nikita so they could let her overhear the conversation about you. That explains a lot. But now the question is, How do we help her? She has to know that it's not true or she's gonna fail that test."

Michael was getting angrier by the minute. It was bad enough that Nikita'slife was on the line every day for these people, but to play these games with her mind just to try and get rid of her ... that was it. He had had it. He would find a way, somehow, sometime to pay them back for this. Right now, though, Nikita needed them. "Walter, we'll go back to our offices. If you come up with anything, let me know. I'll do the same. And we have to hurry. If we waste too much time, it will be too late for her to try and undo any damage she has already done."

************

Chapter 5

Nikita had been at the testing for about seven hours now. She had just finished her lunch break. Even though she was trying to concentrate, she was bored and her mind kept wandering. How many times can you do the same stupid sim over and over without going insane? Briggs, the operative that was apparently assigned as her gopher, had brought her another cup of tea. This time it was in a styrofoam cup. Well, so much for smashing anything else. She had tried to concentrate on the computer, but her mind was spinning out of control. She still couldn't believe that Michael could be so cruel. Sure he had manipulated her and betrayed her before, all in the line of duty, And he had never, ever spread anything about it all around Section before either.

All at once, Nikita's vision started to go a little blurry. "Must be staring too hard at the screen" she thought. She got up out of her chair and walked around the room, thinking that would clear her vision. However, it wasn't helping. And then it started. She saw a huge rat in the corner of the room and screamed. What was she going to do? She hated rats. It was in her psych profile that rats were the thing that she feared most. And she didn't even have a gun. Great. She moved back to her chair. As she was sitting down, the rat seemed to be getting closer. Then she saw them. There were three more coming at her ... one from each corner. The fear set in. What could she do? She had no way of getting rid of them. Then she remembered the intercom.

"Madeline, there are rats down here. If you want me to do these tests you will have to get rid of the rats." Nikita thought she had sounded determined, when in actuality she was sounding rather desperate. Madeline knew the drug had kicked in. They had drugged her lunch. It was part of the test. Push them to their limits and see if they could still perform or if they broke. Madeline finally answered Nikita. "I'm sorry Nikita, but I can't do anything about the rats. You will have to deal with them. Now get back to the sims please."

Nikita sat on the chair with her feet up off the floor for about twenty minutes. Her head kept turning from one side to the other, keeping an eye on the rats. She didn't understand why they wouldn't get rid of the rats. She would perform much better if she didn't have to worry about them crawling all over her. Well, so be it. If she failed the test, then they would cancel her and she wouldn't ever have to worry about anything like this again. Or Michael. "Oh darn" she thought. "Just when I had forgotten about him and what he did to me. How could he? And I thought I was finally making headway with him. Well, that's it. That was his last chance. He's lucky I don't just shoot him and be done with it."

She was starting to get some clarity back and decided she better work on the sims some more. She just hoped there were no more about Michael. A new sim came up on the screen. It was a mission for a valentine op. "Wonderful" she thought. "This just keeps getting better and better." She worked at it for a while and her mind started wandering again. She kept imagining Michael as the operative in question. And herself as the person being betrayed. "Just like real life" she quipped out loud.

Michael entered the observation room. "How is she doing?" he asked. Madeline turned around and looked at Michael. "Not well, Michael. We expected better from her. She doesn't seem to be concentrating. Something is bothering her. Something outside the normal test parameters. If she doesn't snap out of it soon, it will be too late." Michael nodded and left.

Madeline had heard Nikita's remark and knew what she was referring to. The test was starting to really stress Nikita out. She had told Michael the truth. Nikita was not doing well. If there was only some way she could help her get her concentration back. The anger, the drugs and the pressure were taking their toll. If she didn't snap out of it soon, there would be no reason to continue the testing. She was doing okay, but not good enough. She would have scored too low to ever dream of making it up.

Operations had left the room an hour ago. He was needed to brief a team going out on a mission. Madeline decided this was her chance to help. Pushing the intercom she asked "Nikita, is there anything else we can get for you? Anything that might help you to concentrate?"

Nikita thought about it a minute and then replied. "Yes Madeline. I would like some music. Could someone bring me my walkman and a few of my tapes. They are in my close quarter standby room." Madeline smiled. Yes, music. That just might do the trick. At least until the next drug dose came along. "Fine. I'll have someone bring some of your music. Now please get back to the test."

************

Chapter 6

Madeline called Birkoff. "Birkoff, I need you to go to Nikita's CQS room and retrieve her Walkman and a few of the tapes she likes. You seem to be friends with her so I figure you will know what she likes. Bring them to Testing Room 2."

Birkoff was confused. "Uh ... of course. Right away." he answered. Why would they let Nikita listen to music if they were testing her? Something didn't seem right. But, not being one to question things around Section for the most part, he went to retrieve the music. He was coming back with the tapes when he passed Walter's station.

"What are you up to Birkoff? Gonna spin some tunes for the Section?" Walter asked. He had noticed the tapes and Walkman in Birkoff's hands. "Hey, that's Nikita's stuff, isn't it?" he asked. Birkoff nodded. "Yeah, Madeline asked me to get them and take them to Nikita." Walter didn't know what to think. They were letting Nikita listen to music during "the test"? Something was off. Unless, of course, they thought it would distract her way too much to concentrate on the sims. Just then he had an idea.

"Hey Birkoff. Remember I said I might need some help with something. Well, I do. Now, if you can spare the time." Birkoff hesitated. "Okay, just let me get these to Nikita. I'll be right back." "NO," Walter shouted. Birkoff stopped in his tracks. Walter didn't usually lose his temper and had never done so with Birkoff. "Okay. What is it that you need?" Birkoff asked warily. Walter smiled. "I'm sorry Birkoff. Didn't mean to get loud. Could you come into my storage room and bring those tapes with you." Michael had informed Walter that Nikita was not doing well and he was worried.

Once they were inside the storage room, Walter once again engaged the jamming device. Birkoff noticed. "Okay Walter. What is going on? Why are you jamming surveillance again? You did the same thing earlier when you had me in here to look at your computer. How are you going to explain this when Operations, Madeline or Michael ask? Wait, this is about Nikita, isn't it?"

Walter looked around to make sure no one was close by. "Yeah, it is. Now, don't worry about Michael. He won't be asking. As for Operations and Madeline, we'll just tell them there was a problem with the connection and we were working on it. Now, back to Nikita."

Walter then explained to Birkoff as much as he could about the situation Nikita and Michael were in. Birkoff was visibly shaken. He had never heard of the test and he hoped he never had to go through it. Of course, he probably wouldn't since he wasn't a cold op. Walter explained to Birkoff what they needed to do and that it needed to be done quickly. They two men worked as fast as they could and then Birkoff returned to his station with Nikita's Walkman and tapes. He was placing a disk in his computer and calling up some sims when Madeline called him again.

"Birkoff. I thought I asked you to get some music for Nikita. What is taking so long?"

Birkoff was nervous. He wasn't a good liar and he didn't like lying to Madeline and Operations. "Yes ma'am. I got the music. But on my way back I ran into Michael and he asked me to run some numbers for him for the upcoming Algiers mission. He said he needed them right away. I'm just finishing up."

"Fine," Madeline replied. "Give the intel to Michael and then get the music to Nikita."

At the same time, Walter had stopped by Michael's office. Upon seeing Walter enter, Michael turned off all surveillance to his office. Walter proceeded to tell him he had a plan and had put it into motion.

"What did you do?" Michael asked. Walter watched Michael closely. This was the tricky part.

"Michael, I'm not going to tell you. You know you are not supposed to help her in any way. If they find out what I did and you know about it, then they will think you were involved and you will be canceled. I'm not gonna let that happen. Michael opened his mouth to argue, but Walter cut him off. "I mean it Michael. Now just drop it. The only thing you need to do is ask Birkoff to run the numbers for the upcoming Algiers mission. Tell him you need it immediately."

Michael watched Walter for a few seconds then said "Fine."

************

Chapter 7

Birkoff had just delivered the Walkman and tapes to Briggs. He, in turn, gave them to Nikita. She thanked him with a wicked smile and then proceeded to put in the first tape. Something didn't quite seem right about the tapes, but she was feeling the effects of the drugs again and couldn't put her finger on it. She popped in the first tape and started listening.Right in the middle of the first song, Walter started talking. Nikita stopped what she was doing and sat up straight. Walter was saying " Listen sugar. Don't let on that I am talking to you. Just pretend you are still listening to the music. I know about the test. But you have to listen carefully to me. I don't have a lot of time here. What you found out about Michael this morning, it was a lie. Operations made it up to get you angry. He wants you to fail the test so he can cancel you. I know you're probably skeptical, but have I ever lied to you? You know I haven't. I checked it out carefully before I taped this for you. Michael didn't go out with anyone and never said those things about you. It was all a ploy on Operations' part."

Nikita couldn't believe what she was hearing. Well, actually she could. They had done it again. How many times would they try to rip her and Michael apart? They had tried to turn her against him so many times. And what about Madeline? Nikita somehow had the feeling that Madeline approved of the relationship between herself and Michael. Not that she would ever admit it, but she wasn't constantly try to rip them apart like Operations was. Walter's voice continued.

"Sugar, you have to pick up the pace in there. Really concentrate. They are gonna be throwing all kinds of stuff at you, but you can face that. Just put your mind to it. Birkoff and I will be secretly monitoring your progress. If you need any help, somehow work in the line "More intel needed." We'll do our best to help you out. I don't think you'll need it though. Just remember. Michael did not betray you." With that, the music was back and Walter's voice was gone.

Nikita felt as though a great weight had been lifted from her. She was so glad that Michael hadn't betrayed her again. She knew she should trust him, but sometimes she just got scared. She was so afraid of losing him. Her life would be worth nothing if she did. There would be no reason to go on. Certainly not for Section. Of course she had wonderful friends like Walter and Birkoff, but that just wouldn't be enough. Not for her. She needed someone to love. And, for better or worse, that person was Michael. He was her soulmate and she would never stop loving him.

Her mind finally having been cleared of most of the anger, she was free to concentrate on the tests. Of course, she was still angry at Operations for pulling that stunt, but it wasn't the same as her anger at Michael. Not nearly as intense. Her test scores immediately started to pick up. Madeline was pleased. She didn't know how, but the music seemed to have calmed Nikita down enough to concentrate on the test. And the anger seemed to have dissipated. It wasn't gone completely, but it wasn't nearly as intense.

***********

Chapter 8

Nikita made it through the next 60 hours on sheer willpower. She had been drugged. She had been lightly poisoned - not anything too drastic -just enough to make her physically ill. Through it all, however, she kept her mind focused. She finished simulation after simulation, never questioning her decisions twice. Madeline was quite impressed. Nikita was even finding ways to save innocents that were being thrown into the mix to screw up the mission profile. Of course, Operations was not happy. He wanted to know what had happened. How had Nikita recovered so quickly? Why wasn't she out for blood? Madeline told him she didn't know.

Michael knew that Birkoff and Walter were monitoring Nikita's progress. He would find reasons to stop by Birkoff's station to see how she was doing. Like now. He really didn't need to have the communications log for the last mission, but he needed an excuse, and it was as good as any. He walked up to Birkoff and asked for the log. Then he continued "How is she doing?" Birkoff got the disk for Michael and then replied "Very well. She's almost scoring as high as you did." Michael felt the burden lifting off his shoulder. He actually smiled. Not a full blown smile, but a rarity for Michael. "Thank you" he said and then returned to his office to wait. She had five hours to go.

*****Five hours later ....

Madeline entered Testing Room 2. She was smiling. "You're finished Nikita. You did very well. Go home and get some rest." Nikita just stared at her. She was exhausted, physically and mentally. Why did they have to put people through such things? She would never understand it. All she wanted to do was go home and sleep for the next week. Madeline was turning to leave when she stopped and said "By the way Nikita, you are free for the next week. Relax and enjoy yourself." With that Madeline left.

Nikita was just about to leave when Operations came in. He was not in a good mood. "Congratulations Nikita. I don't know how you did it, but you passed the test with flying colors. You will be promoted to Level 3 as soon as you return. You will also be placed into consideration as a future mission profiler. Nice work. I assume Madeline told you you are free for the next week?" Nikita looked at him and then finally replied, "Yes,she did. Sorry I won't be around for you to torture for a while." Operations actually smiled at that and said "Touche."

Michael took Nikita home. He promised he would stay until she was sleeping and he knew she was fine. Nikita went to bed and immediately fell asleep. She slept for 36 hours straight. Feeling much better, she got up, showered and dressed. She was enjoying a cup of tea on her terrace trying to decide what she wanted to do for the rest of the day when she heard someone knock at the door. She knew who it was, without even looking. She was expecting him. Nikita went to the door and opened it. "Hi Michael" she smiled.

Michael looked her over to see how she was. She seemed much better than the last time he had seen her. Much better rested. "May I come in?" he asked. Nikita stood back and waved her hand for him to enter. She motioned for Michael to sit on the couch. "Would you like some coffee?" she asked. Michael looked up and said "Yes. That would be nice." Nikita fixed Michael a cup of coffee and made herself another cup of tea. She handed him the cup and then sat down beside him on the couch. Neither spoke for a few minutes. Finally, Michael began.

"I'm sorry, Nikita. I couldn't tell you everything about the test. I was being tested too. If I had told you everything, we would have both been canceled. And I didn't know anything about what Operations had pulled until you had already started the test."

Nikita turned to him and put her hand on his chin to turn his face towards her. "It's okay Michael. I know what happened. Walter filled me in. He somehow managed to tape a message on one of the tapes that Birkoff brought for me to listen to. He explained everything to me. I'm the one that should be sorry."

Michael couldn't believe what he was hearing. What would she have to be sorry about. He finally asked her. "What do you have to be sorry for?" Nikita looked at him with a sad expression and answered.

"For doubting you, Michael. I shouldn't have doubted you. I know you better than that. If you had betrayed me, you would never have spread it around Section like that. I'm sorry."

Michael felt himself flinch. He knew what she had been trying to say, but it still hurt. "If he had betrayed her" ... those words cut him to the quick. He had done it so often, she just came to expect it as part of their relationship. But he was working on that. He would sooner cut off his own arm or leg than to betray her again. Soon, though, he would be in a position to get them out from under all this mess. And then he would make everything up to her. "Kita," he started "I will make them pay for this ..."

She put her finger to his lips and stopped him. "Let's not discuss it anymore," she said.

He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek, then pulled her into an embrace. Nikita turned around so that she was leaning back against his chest. Michael leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head. He just wished he could hold her this way forever.

"One day soon," he said. "One day soon."