(5)

Morning came as it had for the past 5 days... yet Michael refused to leave Nikita's side for more than the basic necessities. The techs in Medlab had even taken to bringing him various food items to eat and drink. Little of which he consumed. Operations had checked on Nikita's status as had Madeline, who kept herself busy running between her office and Level 10 where that wonderful Machine that started all of this was built. She had so far been able to keep away from Operations while she tried to find any and all information to that might help the technicians reverse the adjustment process...but so far, no luck.... And time was just about to run short again.

"Madeline.... In my office. NOW!!!!" Was all he said...enough to make the small hairs on the nape of her neck stand on end. She reached across the desk toward the intercom button to reply, but quickly thought better of it...so instead she rose for the chair, not an easy thing to do since she had been sitting in the same position for hours...and made her way to the observation deck.

***

Operations was standing with his back to the doorway, shirtsleeves rolled to his elbows. not a good sign where Madeline was concerned. When he heard her enter he simply spun on his heels, turning to face her...what she saw shocked her... he had not shaved, his hair was a mess and he looked older than his years..."Madeline...have we, no correct that. have you made any progress in your search?" That threw her off guard...she wasn't aware that he knew what she had been doing for the past five days.

"The technicians have been going over everything and so far the answer has eluded us"...she stood, hands clasped together. She hoped he didn't notice how white her knuckles were. "How the hell did this happen Madeline?".... He stepped closer staring at her, actually staring through her...she simply shrugged "Paul, you said you wanted the relationship ended...and that is what I did." She tried in vain to sound confident...but he wasn't fooled.

"That was your suggestion. I was willing to let it run it's course...handle problems as they appeared" he huffed and turned away. "Instead I have an operative in Medlab that may not survive and another who refuses to leave her side...Davenport is running the missions and the casualties are adding up" he steadied himself against the com unit..."This has put us in a very precarious position with George"

Madeline looked around the room, out the window...into the Communications Center. Anywhere but at Operations..."I can handle George for now..." She stated still sounding unsure of herself but trying not to make it noticeable.

"And how do you propose to do that MADELINE?" She really was beginning to hate that name again..."He wants answers...and he's not the only one" he picked up his blazer which had been carelessly tossed on the floor and stopped right before the door "You have 24 hrs to come up with the answer Madeline...the answer to reversing WHATEVER you have done to Nikita...in detail Madeline, and it HAD BETTER WORK!!!. He stormed down the stairs.

Nikita started to stir, the monitors beeping the unsteady rhythm of her heart when suddenly an alarm went off and Michael jumped to his feet "What is going on? Why is this....??" his questions was cut off before he could finish..."Sir, we need you to step aside"...the nurse tried to maneuver her way around him "We need to make some adjustments to the lines"...she reached to turn off the alarm and reset the monitors. Once done, the monitors returned to their steady blips and beeps as the Dr. turned to Michael. "Her heartbeat was a little fast, the line was twisted."...He sighed "But no harm...she is resting comfortably." He knew how vague this sounded, but it was the only thing he could say. He still didn't know for sure whether she would make it, only that there was minimal improvement. Not enough to mention, he thought to himself...but enough for him to start believing she just might make it....

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

(6)

Walter had finally convinced Michael to get some rest...it wasn't easy but he promised to personally call him if Nikita so much as twitched...."Michael, you're not doing anyone any good like this...if she woke up now, you'd scare the hell out of her...go, I promise between Birkoff and myself, she is safe and sound"... with that the older man pushed the younger to Medlabs exit. ."I promise..." and with that a weary Michael finally made his way out of Section. But not before running into Operations.

"How is she Michael? I was just on my way to check." he whispered. "She's not...not better, not conscious...not...not.." He spat and quickly walked away dismissing Operations with a backward wave of the hand. Operations decided to leave it alone and go see for himself...

No sooner had he passed Birkoff's desk then the young computer genius prompted his monitor to something that had earlier caught his eye. Over the course of the last couple days, the input he had downloaded confirmed that Madeline was indeed out of Section on the same day and at the same exact time that Nikita was on the mission. And shortly after he had relayed the message that there had been a change in profile and that she had to switch to a different com line, Madeline had confirmed her position at the same location...30 minutes after that she had personally called in "Housekeeping". But Birkoff couldn't remember any real reason that they might have been needed. Upon further digging, he came upon housekeeping’s' records and noticed that they had been required to remove a rather large piece of machinery... "Michael will be very interested in this...." he thought to himself... downloaded the information to a disk and slipped it into his knapsack.

Four hours later, a clean-shaven Michael returned to section, still looking bleary eyed but a little more rested, he first made his way to his office then he paid a visit to Madeline. "Come in". Her voice quivered 'God I hope it's not Paul.' she quickly thought. But upon seeing who it was, she didn't feel any more relief..."I know you did something to Nikita...You and Operations had better hope she survives...because whatever it is that you have done Madeline...plan on undoing it...or I will see George personally!" He warned then waited to see her reaction...

"And that would benefit you how Michael?" she decided to see how far he was willing to go "What proof do you have? For all George knows, Nikita received trauma to her head and remembers noth..." she quickly realized her mistake...Michael had never mentioned how Nikita had changed...how was it that Madeline would have then known she didn't remember things? Michael didn't miss it.... He slowly stalked to her desk, pressing both hands on either side of her elbows he inched closer to her face...

"George would be more than interested in knowing that it was by your hands that Adrian really died...oh, and Madeline.. Believe me...right now...George would believe me, even if I didn't have the proof that I do..." with that he turned and walked quietly from the room.

"Birkoff, where is Operations right now?" Madeline's quivering voice crackled over the intercom... "He's with Nikita" was all he replied "Ppplease tell him to come to my office.... As soon as he can."...She turned off the COM before Birkoff could respond. Birkoff passed on the information to Operations who didn't look at all please to be pulled away from Medlab before the doctors gave him any new information on Nikita's condition but he figured maybe she had managed to come up with some answers so he quickly strolled to her office.

"What is it Madeline? Do you have the report I asked for?" He noticed the pallor of her skin and the beads of sweat on her brow "We have a problem Paul" she turned and rose from behind her desk.

"What problem is that Madeline?" He waited impatiently...

"Michael paid me a visit just a little while ago.... He knows that we.. I did something to Nikita...he wants it undone." She shivered.

"He's not the only one Madeline, so what is the problem?"

She hesitated knowing that he was not going to be in the least bit happy." He has threatened to go to George." she watched his response but was surprised that she was unable to read his features..." He claims to have proof of Adrian's death." Operations head shot up...

"What proof could he possibly have? I thought we were done with this?" He shouted "That is what I thought, maybe he's bluffing, but after the Bagomi mission you know that George is willing to believe anything he says and you know that George personally threatened to, I believe the term was "Squash you both figuratively and literally.". Both stood staring at each other. Neither knew what to say....

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

(7)

Madeline and Operations stood for what seemed like hours, contemplating what their next move might be...neither cared for this Chess match that they had somehow gotten themselves into... Neither was used to being on the receiving end of threats from Operatives...and being at Michael's mercy didn't sit too well.

Just then, Michael strode past the Observation deck and could feel the stares of both Leaders. He turned, only a half turn to let them both know they were not the only ones watching someone...with a half smile, half sneer...he continued to his office.

Birkoff lightly tapped on the door..."Michael, ya got a sec?" he slipped in hoping no one noticed...he waited until Michael cut the surveillance from the room and motioned him to the chair across from his desk.

"What can I do for you Birkoff?" He pinched the bridge of his nose...

"I found something today, actually, I have been going over some things in the computer that I think might be of interest to you..." he leaned on the edge of the desk and slid the disk across the top...."No one knows I have this...but I couldn't help it Michael...I knew that Madeline was behind whatever was done to Nikita...I don't know what yet, but I am not done digging. I just have to be careful." He slid back in the chair waiting to see what Michael might do or say...

Michael took the disk, rolling it around in its protective case and closed his eyes...taking a deep breath he slowly opened them and when he did, Birkoff was surprised to see the tears...."I don't know what they did either...but Nikita doesn't remember that she loved...loves me...or...." he couldn't finish...

Birkoff rocked forward in his seat..."Or that you love her Michael?" There, it was said, it was out in the open...Michael could only nod...he wasn't surprised that the younger man knew this...he really didn't care anymore...all he wanted was his Nikita, back the way she was...

"Something didn't work when Madeline did this...." he whispered to Birkoff.

"How do you know Michael?" ...He waited for his answer...

Michael stood up and came around the desk...sitting on the corner he leaned in closer..." Because, she said, I don't love you...ANYMORE!!!" He wiped the tears that fell in a steady stream... "She had to know that she once did...don't you think? Otherwise why would she have said "ANYMORE"?" he knew Birkoff didn't have the answer...but he had to ask the question that had been driving him mad all along...

"Operations was in Madeline's office right after you left...What did you say to her? When she told me to contact Operations...there was something...like...fear in her voice". He hoped it was true...

"I told her that if she didn't undo whatever she had done to Nikita...I was personally taking this to George." And with that Michael patted Birkoff on the shoulder, stood, tucked the Disk into his pocket and walked out of his office.

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

(8)

The doctor saw Michael enter Medlab and quickly motioned him over.. "She seems to be doing a little better, any blood loss has stopped, she is responding to pain stimuli so she is not as deep into the coma as previously...just keep talking to her..." he smiled...

"Can she hear me?" Michael never took his eyes off the still form laying on the bed across the room...They had placed her on more of an incline, there seemed to be a few less tubes coming out of her arms and she looked peaceful...

"They haven't proved that coma victims can't...so I would say, just keep talking to her." ...he turned and walked away.

Michael closed the distance in a few strides, pulled the chair that had been left for him closer to the bed and half standing, half kneeling leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead..."I love you Nikita...do you hear me? I can finally say it." the tears began again as he drew his thumb lightly over the now healing cuts and bruises..."I know you remember...you have to try...it's Michael.... Nikita, come back to me..." the sobs came, unable to remain in check "I know I never told you this... but I have loved you always... since the very first time I saw you walk through section."... he gently kissed her cheek "I never meant to hurt you. I know I told you that... but it's true." he continued. . Not caring if anyone heard him now... "I know Madeline did something to you. Birkoff and Walter are trying to find out what.. . Until then you have to keep trying to remember... fight Nikita, come back so we can fight together." He wasn't sure if she heard him... but he had to try. Softly he kissed her, patted the disk in his pocket and walked away from the bed. Now he would find out just what she did...and he planned on making her, making both of them pay.

Walter was trying to keep himself busy when Birkoff slipped into Munitions..."I found something Walter" he whispered.." I made a copy and gave it to Michael". He smiled. Walter stopped cleaning the gun he had been polishing and turned to the younger man. "I would hate to be in their shoes when he puts it all together"...he folded the rag..."But they deserve this. They should have left them two alone. Everyone here knew they worked better together" he put the gun back in the container then punched in the code and removed the next weapon for cleaning. "What did Michael say?" he looked up from his job...

Birkoff moved a little closer. "He told Madeline if she didn't undo whatever she had done, he was going to George." he sat back...smugly grinning "Man, Walter, ya should have heard how scared she sounded." ...

Walter let lose a snicker "It's about time someone got to the Ice Queen". With that he slapped Birkoff on the shoulder and returned to the back of the room...."Keep me informed will ya?"...He whispered around the corner..."Sure thing"...Birkoff walked off to his desk to begin searching some more.