Chapter One

There was a sight sob as the slippered feet rubbed against the grated floor. Movement was slow, as the pain pulled from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet. There were no other things important, than watching the feet slowly move forward and then to feel the pain radiating down the entire arm and side. Nothing could stop it, but doing nothing made it worse.

“Almost there.” Michael’s voice vibrated in the air that was only focused on the shaky breaths in and out and the movement of the pink slippered feet. All other noises meant nothing, and there was no mention of the operatives who walked down the hallway ten times the speed were staring at the sight.

“I can’t.” Nikita finally moaned out as she felt Michael’s arms holding her tighter around the waist. She rolled her head back as the pain gripped her entire body, as the walk was just too far. Michael would not hold her entirely, and he would not allow Nikita to pull her feet up.

“Just a few more steps.” Michael whispered from behind Nikita’s head. She gasped as she forced her foot ahead, finding the strength from Michael’s words and her own need was to sit down. Motivation used to be seeing Mia, or getting some extra time off, now it was just the image of a soft chair.

Michael waited at the door as Nikita reached out with her left arm to the wall, but Michael easily held onto her hips, making the fleeting idea rush out of Nikita’s mind as he pressed the code to the small panel next to the door. Nikita gasped as the door opened and she saw the four steps downward.

“No.” Nikita sobbed out, not taking note of who was in the office below. All that she saw were four steps, doing downward. She dropped her head and Michael kissed at her left ear.

“I have you, Nikita. I am not going to let you fall.” Michael whispered and Nikita inched her foot forward and gasped as she found new pains from the motion of walking down the stairs. Michael looked ahead as Madeline crossed the room quickly with a chair on rollers. Michael then turned his attention back to Nikita’s next step down the steps. He could feel Nikita reaching for the chair that stood in front of her and Michael held her back. He needed her to finish all the stairs, and slowly, she did.

Michael could not relax as his arms helped Nikita sit down. Madeline easily placed a pillow behind Nikita’s tender shoulder, as Michael felt the feeling in his arms returning. The small walk from the medical room that Nikita had spent two weeks in since she began to respond, to Madeline’s office, that held Madeline and Operations, would have normally taken three minutes. Here it took almost fifteen minutes.

“Do you have water, Madeline?” Michael questioned as he pushed the chair towards the desk as Nikita struggled to lift her head. Madeline motioned over to the side with her head. She looked at Operations in pure disgust as Michael retrieved the crystal glass and filled it with some water.

“Here, Nikita.” Michael said as he moved the glass underneath Nikita’s mouth. Slowly, Nikita wrapped her left hand around it and helped Michael give her a few sips of water. Michael waited and placed the glass down. Movement in her right arm was a long way off, and since Nikita was a right handed woman, motions were difficult for her.

“You are looking good, Nikita.” Operations said and all three turned and shot a glance at Operations. There were no lies in between Michael and Nikita. Nikita felt it herself, that this was taking too long. Yet, yesterday there was a break through. They were letting her go home.

“We have to discuss your arrangements for leaving Section One.” Madeline said and Nikita lifted her head and looked at Madeline. Nikita smiled and looked at Michael.

“You mean going home.” Nikita replied and Madeline dropped her head and Michael moved forward. The motion screamed to Michael that Madeline and Operations had been plotting something.

“You will be going to a house, to recover. But it won’t be Michael’s. In fact, it is part of a mission.” Madeline said and Michael reached his arm out to hold Nikita back. Nikita dropped her head and Michael could feel the tears rolling off of her face and onto his arm.

“She isn’t in condition for a mission, Madeline. She can barely stand up for herself.” Michael replied and Operations nodded his head and moved over to a miniature projection screen.

“It is not a short term mission. We need you to establish residency at a house nearby Honus Breslove. In time, he will grow found of you and Nikita, and give you access to his house so Nikita can use his pool for therapy.” Operations said as he showed Michael and Nikita the house they would be staying at, a picture of Honus Breslove, and his own house.

“What about Mia?” Nikita questioned emotionally out and Michael lifted his head. He wanted to hear the response to this questioned. Madeline looked to Operations and nodded her head.

“I will be watching her. You don’t need a kid running around during your recovery.” Madeline said and Nikita began to shake her head and then stopped. Michael lifted the glass, and Nikita happily took a sip and then stared at Madeline intensely.

“So, I might not see her for weeks?” Nikita questioned and Madeline blinked her eyes. She had won a difficult battle on this issue with Operations, and she would be glad to deliver the news to Nikita.

“No. You’ll see her. The profile has your daughter, staying with your parents, me and Operations, as you recover. We will be visiting almost every other day to see you and so that Mia can see you.” Madeline said and Operations turned his head. Michael could see that this was going to be a long mission for all persons involved.

“What about Nikita’s therapy? Are you suggesting that we go to an outside physical therapist?” Michael questioned and Madeline looked at Operations again. Similarly, she had won this battle also. She might not have stopped the mission, but Madeline made sure to make it better for Nikita, as much as she could.

“Walter will be posing as Nikita’s physical therapist. We will make sure he has the training, and it will give you both someone else to talk too.” Madeline said and Michael nodded his head and looked at Nikita.

“Is this ok, Nikita?” Michael questioned and Operations blinked his eyes. He could not believe he heard what Michael had said. Michael asking Nikita if the profile was ok. There were to be no questions on a profile. He ordered the mission to go, and it will, even if Nikita protested against it.

“Yes, if you carry me back to medical.” Nikita said and Madeline smiled. There was Nikita’s biting sense of humor. Madeline stood up and watched as Michael picked Nikita carefully up in his arms.

“You will leave in the morning. I will have everything ready at the house for you too. Everything.” Madeline said as Michael moved to the door. Operations sat still as the door opened and then closed. Madeline turned back and scowled at Operations. He did not need the words to know, as he stood up and left.

Madeline shook her head as she turned towards her empty shelves. She moved to some boxes that she had brought in from her small apartment and opened the box up.

“Welcome home, Michael and Nikita.” Madeline thought to herself as she placed the two bonsai trees that had been absent, back on the shelf, ready to grow together again. Madeline could only hope that helping the true Nikita was as easy as tending to the tree.

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

Chapter Two

Michael walked back the stairs as he rubbed his face. Madeline blinked her eyes as she saw the shock on Michael’s face as he noticed the bonsai trees. He stopped and looked at them before turning to the chair in front of her desk. Michael slowly sat down and glanced over his shoulder and then back to Madeline.

“I thought you stopped with the bonsai trees.” Michael started out softly and Madeline pleasantly smiled towards Michael. She could see the strain of helping Nikita, but Madeline could not have stopped Michael from doing so. Madeline was also surprised to find that Operations had not objected, but strange things often occurred when someone spared Operations’ his life.

“I never stopped.” Madeline said softly and Michael nodded his head as he fixed his gaze on Madeline. Michael folded his hand and the business part of this little meeting had to start.

“First, Michael, I want you to be aware that we came across the true files that Nikita had. Although we are stunned with her talent to manipulate the data, we have demoted her for the lies.” Madeline said and she watched as Michael’s eyes bulged a little bit before being mentally pulled back to a normal size.

“To what level?” Michael questioned softly and Madeline looked to her hands and internally smiled. She knew that Michael was expecting the worst.

“To Level Five.” Madeline replied and she watched the small muscles in Michael’s face and neck relaxed significantly. Madeline turned her head to the side and pulled the little card out for Michael.

“What is that?” Michael asked as Madeline pushed it in front of him. Madeline waited for Michael to look down at the card and read the name and the number. Madeline pushed it closer to Michael.

“Pick it up, you will be needing it.” Madeline said and Michael slowly fingered the tan card before lifted it to his palm. Madeline watched Michael’s gray-green eyes look over the name and number again.

“Why?” Michael questioned and Madeline pulled out a little panel and pressed the lighted numbers softly. Michael shifted in his seat, almost uncomfortable by Madeline’s gesture.

“Michael, you do not need to hide that Nikita was and will be having problems in, ah, intimate situations.” Madeline said softly and Michael closed his eyes and turned his head.

“Madeline….” Michael started to protest and Madeline touched Michael’s hand to stop his words. Madeline looked to Michael’s hand and then to his face.

“I don’t want to go into the details, and I don’t want to think about what we in Section One has done to Nikita. That is a number for a good therapist who specializes in situations like Nikita’s.” Madeline said and Michael shook his head.

“Nikita just needs an open and honest relationship with me, Madeline. Plus, she is very much injured.” Michael said and Madeline nodded her head.

“Yes, but as we said. This mission will be a long-term mission. It is likely that Honus Breslove would notice if there lacks things between you and Nikita.” Madeline said and Michael blinked his eyes. He looked to the card and shook his head.

“Nikita won’t go to a therapist, Madeline. She wasn’t even going to tell me…” Michael said and trailed off as he started to feel his own guilt.

“She wasn’t going to tell you until you believed that she had done those things to get ahead. If Nikita had her way, she would have never told you.” Madeline stated and Michael dropped his head and pressed his dry lips against each other.

“This must also be difficult on you, Michael.” Madeline slowly stated as she saw the opening for another issue that had been chewing at her mind for several days.

“How?” Michael challenged Madeline quickly and Madeline smiled.

“The woman you love right now is afraid of any other touch than support and warmth.” Madeline said and Michael lifted his eyes and Madeline gasped within herself. There had been times when Michael had been open with his emotions before, and even when Nikita was on the thread of life and death and he stayed by her side, they weren’t expressed as now. Now it was in Michael’s eyes.

“I am willing to wait.” Michael replied firmly and Madeline nodded her head. She no longer had doubts about the outcome of this mission. Madeline stood up and walked over to the bonsai trees. Her mind was racing for the next words, as Michael’s statement, although true to blunt Michael character, had stunned her.

“That may be true, Michael, but it will be a test of character. Even with the help of this expert, we may not be able to bring back the Nikita that you had loved.” Madeline said as she reached her hand out and touched the small branches of the bonsai trees that had mended beautifully.

Michael stood up and turned to look at Madeline. Her back was tense and rigid and Michael looked to the floor slightly. He pressed his hands together about waist high and moved towards the stand to be near Madeline.

“I love Nikita. It doesn’t matter which one I have, they are all the same.” Michael replied and he circled around to Madeline’s other side. He tilted his head and strained to look at the bonsai trees and smiled.

“Like these trees. They are the same ones that Nikita broke years ago. They aren’t the same, but you still tend to them as if they were.” Michael said in a soft whisper as Michael slide the card into his pocket.

“I will call her.” Michael replied as he moved towards the stairs and slowly exited the room. Madeline waited until she heard the door slide shut. Madeline started to wonder who was teaching whom.

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

Chapter Three

“Michael, please.” Nikita moaned out as she looked up to her good shoulder and to Michael. The sunlight danced in his hair, and had Nikita been in a lot less pain, she would have noticed how beautiful it made Michael, almost like an image of an angel. Michael looked at Nikita and kissed her forehead.

Michael held onto Nikita’s body tightly, and looked up at the porch. There was a chair off to the left-hand side, but it would be eight stairs to climb before Nikita could sit down in that chair. He knew the trials of this day, walking from medical to the van, then from the van to the car, and now from the car to the porch, drained Nikita quickly.

“Madeline, please bring that chair down here. She needs a rest.” Michael said as he looked to the side at Madeline, who had a large hat on her head and holding Mia’s hand in hers. Michael turned his head back to Nikita, as she continued to fight to continue on. Michael held her and sighed, wondering out long it was going to be until he couldn’t see the pain so easily on Nikita’s face. He wondered how many days or weeks it was going to be until Nikita had the strength to go to the bathroom herself.

“Michael… how many times do I have to tell you to call me Mom.” Madeline said with a smile as she allowed Operations to pick Mia up in his arms. Operations carefully smiled at Mia and Madeline stepped up the stairs. Michael could tell that Madeline was wishing Nikita would walk up to the porch, and was disappointed. Michael, though, was putting his foot down. Michael held Nikita still as her body began to tremble with weakness as Madeline hurried down the stairs with the chair.

Madeline placed it right behind Nikita, and Michael sat Nikita carefully down. Nikita’s eyes were closed and Michael could tell that Nikita was not comfortable in that chair, yet, he needed a break, and so did Nikita. Michael stepped back for a moment and smiled at Madeline.

“Thank-you, Mom.” Michael said and he rolled his head back. It was during those few seconds, that Mia wiggled away from Operation’s grasp and jumped quickly up to Nikita’s lap.

“MIA!” Michael and Madeline screamed as Nikita gasped out a silent scream and slowly smiled at Mia.

“Mia… I know you miss me… but you have to be careful.” Nikita said with a smile to Mia and then Nikita groaned as Mia wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck in a big hug. Michael watched Nikita, knowing that Nikita would bear all the pain associated with the hug. Michael stepped up and touched Mia’s hand.

“Mia, we have talked about this.” Michael said as Mia dropped her grasp from her mother and looked at Michael. Mia dropped her head and Michael could see the sadness in his daughter’s face.

“Come on, Mia. There is a swing set in the backyard.” Operations said as he extended his hand. Michael turned his shock of the pleasantness on Operations’ voice as he took Mia around the side of the house. Michael turned back to Nikita and knelt down to her side. Nikita leaned her head back and closed her eyes to the sun. It had been sometime since she had been in the sun like this.

“Are you ok?” Michael asked and Nikita nodded her head. All of them knew they were being watched. It was part of the plan to have a public entrance like this, but Nikita knew she was supposed to make it to the porch.

“The sun feels good.” Nikita commented and Madeline pulled the hat off and nodded her head. She reached down and patted Nikita’s own hair.

“The sun will bring back the color to my daughter’s cheeks.” Madeline said with a brilliant smile and Nikita turned her head away. Michael stood up and looked around the area. He could tell that Nikita was leaning back on her injured shoulder more than she wanted to be, and Michael did not want Nikita to have more pain.

“Mom.. I still say you should allow Mia to stay with us. She is such a handful.” Nikita said and Madeline smiled at Nikita and nudged her cheek. Madeline heard the laughter in the backyard and smiled again.

“Nikita, I am your mother. The doctors said you needed your rest.” Madeline said and Michael moved up the stairs. He felt the words being muttered in his head. The doctors had told Nikita to rest, but it was Madeline and Operations who conveniently fit Nikita’s injury into a mission.

“Michael!” Nikita moaned out and Madeline bent down to look at Nikita. Michael ran down the stairs and touched Nikita’s left arm. Nikita lifted her head with tears rolling down her face. Michael did not want to admit it, but he had felt Nikita’s entire body jump with his sudden touch.

Michael looked into Nikita’s eyes and knew exactly what caused her to gasp.

“Darling, what is it?” Madeline questioned and Michael turned to Madeline and handed her the keys. Madeline lifted her head as Michael reached down and pulled Nikita gently up into his arms.

“Madeline… Mom… some things are just better when handled by me.” Michael said and Madeline moved towards the door. She pushed the door open and watched as Michael moved quickly to the room down the hallway and dropped her head. Nikita’s sudden voice of fear was that which indicated to Michael that she needed to go to the bathroom.

Madeline walked down the stairs and sat down at Mia ran around and looked to the open door.

“Is that my new house?” Mia questioned and Madeline shook her head.

“You will be staying with us for some time, Mia. Your mother needs to get strong again.” Madeline said and Mia nodded her head as she sat on Madeline’s lap.

“Do you know the sunshine song?” Mia asked and Madeline looked to Operations and wriggled her nose. Operations smiled and tapped Mia’s shoulder.

“I know…..You are my sunshine… my only sunshine….” Operations sang out and Mia smiled broadly.

“You make me happy.. When clouds are gray… You never know dear…. How much I love you… so please don’t take my sunshine away…..” Mia and Operations sang together. Mia giggled as Operations tickled her stomach but quickly, Mia pulled away as Michael stepped back out onto the porch.

“Nikita is sleeping.” Michael reported and Mia dropped her head and then turned to Operations.

“That’s my mommy’s favorite song!” Mia announced and Madeline looked to Michael. There were a lot of things that could be interpreted if the sunshine song was Nikita’s favorite song, and Madeline knew who constituted Nikita’s sunshine. Michael moved down and scooped Mia up into his arms.

“I want you to be good for your grandparents, understand?” Michael said and Mia nodded her head, even as she wrinkled her eyebrows up in confusion. She had never heard that word used before. Michael handed Mia over to Operations, and in doing so, made it impossible for the two men to end this day with any pleasantries that would be expected between a father-in-law and a son-in-law. Operations turned and started to walk down to the car.

“I want you to call if you need anything.” Madeline said as she pressed another card to Michael’s chest. He knew that Madeline was giving him the number to the therapist again and Michael smiled.

“I will, Mom.” Michael said as he hugged Madeline and she put her hat back on her head. Madeline turned and walked back to the car. Michael stood on the porch and watched the car pull away before going back to monitor Nikita’s slumber.

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

Chapter Four

It had taken two weeks before Michael could leave Nikita in the house, and oddly, he did as Madeline suggested. His first venture out, occurred while Walter gave Nikita her therapy, and he headed to the office, that he had carefully called.

Michael sat in the office, looking around at the decoration, drawing similarities to Madeline’s own office. This office was painted in a warm peach and the furniture was a warm oak. Michael looked around to find beautiful paintings of the seashore around, although they were miles away from any body of water.

Those moments, as Michael waited in that office, were probably the worst. He had Nikita’s trust, and he worried about what Nikita would do if she ever found out about this. The one thing Michael had been able to use with Nikita recently, was the fact that she trusted him, and that fact amazed Michael.

“Hello.” The older woman, with black hair with some strands of gray said as she opened the door and walked in. This was not what Michael had seen in his mind. Michael shifted in the chair as he studied the therapist again, seeing her eyes looked like coal and that her body was pleasantly plump. Michael was shocked to look at her smile to find that it was genuine, that the woman was actually happy.

“Hello.” Michael said and the woman sat down in the chair across from Michael. She looked down at the chart that had been started and lifted her head slowly up at Michael. If she had not looked at the chart, and just looked at Michael, she would have be already curious about what he was doing here. He was not the typical male patient that she saw. Most of the male patients were older, balding, and going through mid-life crisises. Michael appeared to be the exact opposite. Yet, she had looked at the file, and was going to have to make a comment about this.

“I’m not very formal around here. You can call me Leanor or Dr. Westfall.” Leanor said softly and Michael looked at her and blankly locked with her eyes.

“Dr. Westfall.” Michael replied and Leanor smiled, trying to hide the fact that Michael’s tone had made a chill run down her back quicker that any other time in her life. She tilted her head to the side and flipped the file around.

“Care to explain why you haven’t filled out this form, Michael. I may call you that, correct?” Leanor said and she was stunned to watch the blank face continue to stare back at her. Slowly, she started to recalculate her original feelings on why Michael was there. That blank stare was sure to keep any woman away from him.

“Yes, you may call me Michael.” Michael replied as he folded his hands and waited. Michael stared at her, still trying to find out if he could trust her with the care of Nikita’s mental well being. He almost felt good about her and he waited.

“Well? I can’t help you if I don’t know anything at all about you.” Leanor said and Michael finally softly smiled. Leanor immediately warmed up, finding the charming smile almost intoxicating. She focused back at Michael and the smile. She thought there was more behind that smile than she wanted to know. It may have been from years of experience, but suddenly, Leanor felt not so happy with this new patient.

“You aren’t going to help me. You are going to help my wife.” Michael replied quickly and stoically. Leanor smiled and leaned forward.

“Michael, I can only help you.” Leanor said and Michael leaned in with his own gray-green eyes and stared into Leanor’s eyes.

“When I say, you are going to help my wife, I mean it.” Michael replied sharply and Leanor leaned back and looked down to the chart as the chill returned to her body, and would not stop its mad dash up and down her spine.

“Well, that answers question number one, are you married? Does she have a name?” Leanor asked and Michael smiled. Again, the smile revealed a lot to Michael that Leanor was sure he wasn’t aware of.

“Nikita.” Michael replied with a soft tone that sounded like sadness. Michael turned his head and then focused back on Leanor.

“You have to believe me, Dr. Westfall. I am here for my wife, because she can’t be here.” Michael said and Leanor nodded her head. She had seen men and women come in her before because the spouse was hurting, and each time, she sadly couldn’t do anything for them.

“Michael, I cannot treat a patient that I cannot see. You may not know her real problems.” Leanor said and Michael shook his head.

“Nikita is not in denial. She is physical unable to leave the house. This is the only way I can help her. You, have to help her.” Michael passionately pleaded out and Leanor leaned back in her chair. She licked her lips and dropped the chart down to her desk. She was no longer interested in the mandatory questions. Michael’s words almost shot a direct line to her soul.

“Maybe I can work out an arrangement for treatment at your house….” Leanor said and before the statement was over, she could see the negative response on the other side of Michael’s lips.

“She had major trust issues. She trusts me, and it has been hard for her to work with a male physical therapist. Bringing anyone else into the house will not help her. You have to tell me what to do.” Michael said and Leanor leaned back in her chair. She swallowed. Rarely was she placed in a spot like this. She picked up the chart and scratched out Michael’s name.

“I have to think about this, Michael.” Leanor responded and Michael nodded his head as he shifted in the seat.

“I expected so Dr. Westfall.” Michael replied and Leanor looked down at the file. She did not want to turn this man away; it was like she knew she had to help this Michael and his wife Nikita.

“And if I do agree, I cannot guarantee anything until I can personally treat Nikita.” Leanor said and Michael nodded his head as if he expected that answer. Leanor looked at the file and pulled her own curious mind away from Michael. She wanted to ask so many questions, as Michael was knowledgeable with her field, and she would be interested to know how much exposure he had with therapists and what kind. She was also curious about the injuries that currently held Michael’s wife, Nikita, in her house. She wondered how long they had been together and how long Nikita had been injured. Leanor stopped her mind again from racing off with the questions.

“Michael, why don’t you come back next week. I will have made up my mind then.” Leanor said and Michael stood up and she appreciated the height and make of his body. Leanor again had to pull her own questions of what Nikita looked like and what she would look like next to this rugged man, at bay. Leanor stood up and looked to Michael.

“This might sound unusual, but it might be helpful if you bring a picture of Nikita with you.” Leanor said, giving into her own thirst for knowledge.

“A current one or from before her injury?” Michael instantly questioned, without for a moment wondering about Leanor’s strange request. It was in that moment that Leanor knew that she would try to help this man. His need to help his wife was stronger than she had seen in years.

“One of each.” Leanor replied and Michael turned and left the office quickly. Leanor blinked her eyes and looked to the file. The questions would just have to wait till another time. Leanor moved over, picked up the pen and wrote softly, Michael and Nikita. Then she stopped. She had yet to get a last name for them

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

Chapter Five

Michael carefully pushed the door open to the house and pocketed the keys as he looked about the downstairs. Michael swallowed as he saw the motorcycle helmet on the end table, and knew that Walter was still inside the house, hopefully with Nikita.

Michael looked through the various items of junk mail that Madeline had arranged to be delivered to the house so it looked like they were a normal couple. Michael shook his head at some of the miscellaneous catalogues that were sent, including a Frederick’s of Hollywood, a Green Thumb Catalogue of Bulbs, and Jane. Michael dropped the magazines down to the table and started up the stairs. Halfway up, Michael was able to locate where Walter and Nikita were.

“Come on, sugar. Just a little bit more.” Walter said softly as his hand tried to help Nikita raise her arm a bit more. Nikita dropped her head to the pillow and softly sobbed in pain. Walter wanted to stop, but the medical doctors had gone over his notes and accused him of not pushing Nikita. Walter hated the policy of pushing operatives quickly.

“I can’t, Walter!” Nikita hissed as she started to drop the arm back down. Walter moved his hand away and allowed Nikita to drop the arm down. Walter waited and rubbed the good shoulder. He frowned at her entire body jumping at the contact, wishing he could do something about that instead of all this physical therapy jargon he was going through with Nikita.

Nikita pushed her body up with her good arm so she was sitting. She turned and saw Michael standing in the doorway of the guestroom. Nikita liked the room because it was dark most of the time, no matter what time of day. Nikita took Walter’s hand and smiled softly.

“I owe you some more. Can I do the shoulders rolls?” Nikita bargained and Walter smiled and nudged her cheek softly. He was just going to let it be, especially now that Michael was back.

“You don’t have to, sugar.” Walter said and Nikita tilted her head to the left side and looked into the older man’s eyes. Nikita slowly pushed her right shoulder forward and started to roll it up and back.

“I know Section, Walter. I am too slow.” Nikita commented as she turned her head away from the shoulder that was moving. Walter stood up and moved towards the doorway.

“I’m going to get something to drink, sugar. You finish one set and take a nap. You look tired.” Walter said and Nikita smiled and nodded her head. Michael waited for Walter to brush past into the hallway to give his own look to Nikita, saying that she should follow Walter’s instructions, before turning to walk with Walter.

The two men were silent as they walked down the stairs and headed into the kitchen. Walter took a sip of water and adjusted his bandana.

“She seemed tight today. Not like yesterday. I’m going to get an ear beating when I get back. Think I can crash here?” Walter said tensely and then jokingly. Michael winced and dropped his glass of water back down onto the counter top.

“I can explain that.” Michael said and Walter turned and squinted at the younger man. Instantly, Walter knew there was an interesting story behind this. He could tell that by the way Michael immediately moved away.

“What happened, Michael?” Walter demanded with a little smirk. Michael turned as he stood in the middle of the kitchen and looked to Walter.

“Well, I guess Nikita was feeling a lot better, and she tried to make a bathroom run for herself last night. I didn’t know until I heard the crash.” Michael said and Walter closed his eyes. No more words were needed to tell Walter what happened.

“She did make progress, but how did my sugar get that into her head?” Walter questioned and Michael blinked his eyes and moved closer to Walter. Walter smiled and turned away, knowing that Nikita must have told Michael the entire conversation that they had yesterday.

“Look, Michael… we know Nikita…. She is independent as hell!” Walter started in his rush to defend his words from yesterday. Michael turned around and stared at the older man, knowing that Michael did place some blame onto him for Nikita’s mid-night run for the bathroom.

“Yes, she is. But she didn’t think, Walter.” Michael replied sharply and Walter took a long deep breath. Walter didn’t like it when Michael spoke this way about Nikita.

“Yes, she did. She is embarrassed like never before, because she has needed you to take her to the bathroom like a little child. She needed to show that she can start doing some things herself, and that she would ask for you when she needs you.” Walter angrily said and Michael pushed his hair back and looked at Walter.

“But you saw the results of what happened. She feel into the bath tub, Walter, and couldn’t pull herself out of it.” Michael said and Walter nodded his head and looked away from Michael.

“Now I know why her range of motion decreased. Now, how do you suggest I note that in my progress notes, Michael?” Walter joked and Michael turned around with a half smile on his face. Walter laughed broadly, as it was good to see more than the blank stare from Michael for the first time in over two weeks.

“Michael…” Nikita gasped out as her left hand grabbed a hold of the doorway. Michael quickly made the one hundred and eighty-degree turn to see a weak Nikita, trying to steady her body.

“We told you to take a nap.” Michael said as he rushed to Nikita’s side and grasped her waist. Nikita looked up with a feeble smile.

“I needed to know what you two were saying about me…” Nikita softly said as her eyes started to flutter. Michael picked Nikita expertly into his arms and began to move towards the living room couch with Nikita’s body.

“We were saying that you are stubborn like a mule….. Strong as an ox…. Mean as a goat who hasn’t had anything to eat since he found Operations’ boxers a week ago…..” Walter joked as Michael placed Nikita down on the couch. Michael stood up and took Walter by the shoulders.

“You can stop. She is asleep.” Michael said and Walter nodded his head. Walter stepped around Michael and tenderly stroke her cheek.

“Madeline was going to stop by…” Walter whispered and Michael closed his eyes. He missed his daughter, but this day had been long and hard for both Michael and Nikita.

“Please tell her that we are both tired.” Michael said and Walter nodded his head as he picked up the motorcycle helmet and headed for the door. Michael waited until Walter roared away on his loud and noisy Harley before he shut the door.

Michael admired the way Walter handled Nikita. Michael was sure that it had been too many days of conflicting emotions on Walter too. Michael had seen it when Walter started the therapy with Nikita. Most of the first few days were getting Nikita to allow Walter’s touch without pulling away in tears. Michael was sure that those tears weren’t caused by physical pain, but most likely the emotional pain. Michael knew Walter would be lenient on Nikita, and that soon, both would get use to the arrangement. Michael could only hope that others inside Section One realized the time that was needed for all of this to work.