She noticed Michael walking towards his office and turned to head him off.

"Hey Michael," she called.

Michael stopped and looked around Section, checking to see if they were being watched. He waited for her to catch up to him and then proceeded to his office. Once they were in his office, Michael turned off all surveillance. Michael looked up at Nikita and asked, "Was there something you needed?"

Nikita wasn't sure how to proceed. Michael didn't seem to be very receptive at this particular moment, but she decided to go ahead and ask him anyway. No time like the present.

"Well, I was wondering if you would be willing to help me with ... uh... something?"

Michael was curious. It wasn't like Nikita to beat around the bush, and he wasn't aware of any missions or assignments that she was currently working on. "What is it, Nikita?" Michael finally asked.

"I volunteered to plan the Halloween party for the local hospital's children's ward. I was just wondering if you would like to help me."

Michael stared at Nikita for only a few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity to her. Finally, he spoke. "No, I don't think so. Thank you for asking." But Nikita wasn't about to give up so easily. "Oh, come on, Michael. It'll be fun. Just some games and food for the children. They are so looking forward to it."

Michael was getting irritated. He had already answered her; however, he knew that Nikita was persistent when she wanted something. "I said no, Nikita. Now I have work to do."

Michael sat down and started typing into his computer. He noticed that Nikita was still standing in his office, not attempting to leave. Michael sighed. "Was there something else?" he finally asked.

"Well, Michael, I sort of already told the hospital that you would be helping me. You really can't back out now." Michael clenched his fists, but kept a tight rein on his temper.

"Nikita, you will just have to explain to them that I am busy. I can't be bothered with a Halloween party. There is too much work to be done here."

Nikita was getting her dander up now. She knew Michael was stubborn, but this was getting ridiculous. He was actually getting angry over a stupid Halloween party. "Well, Michael, I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I promised them you would help me with the party and that's what you're going to do. I've already gotten Walter to agree to help."

Michael looked up at her and replied "There. You and Walter can do it. You don't need me. Now I really have to get to work. Don't you have anything else to do?"

Nikita wasn't giving up. She had one last shot at it. "Michael, you know, you can be a real jerk sometimes. Yes, Walter and I could do it, but I said YOU would help me. I told them MY HUSBAND would help with the party. I just don't think Walter quite fits the bill."

Michael was stunned. Her husband? Great. What was next? Were they going to have make-believe children too?

"Nikita, you shouldn't have done that. What if we have to go out on a mission? What happens to your party then?"

Now Nikita was on safer ground now. "It won't happen Michael. I've already cleared it with Madeline. She's not thrilled about us interacting with the public, but she figured a couple of hours won't hurt. We won't be called in unless it is the most urgent of missions."

Michael was fidgeting. He didn't want any parts of this, even if he did get to pretend to be her husband for a few hours. That was the only up side to this whole thing. Nikita was studying Michael. Something was not right. Michael was getting a bit rattled. She couldn't understand why. She finally decided to ask him straight out.

"Michael, what's wrong? Why don't you want to help with this? You've helped me out before with these charity events and you've never seemed so hesitant. Why now?"

Michael stared at Nikita for the longest time. He didn't want to answer ... didn't want anyone to know. It made him seem so weak, even if it was a long, long time ago. But it had affected him as a child and it had always stayed with him.

Nikita could see he was holding back. "Michael, whatever it is you can tell me. You know you can trust me." Finally Michael relented.

"Fine. I'll tell you. When I was a boy, about five years old, our family had a Halloween party at my aunt's home. In her huge basement, actually. All the aunts, uncles and cousins were there dressed in costumes. I had been hanging out with my cousin and didn't really know exactly where my parents were. We were sitting near the door, just waiting for everyone to show up. It was dark, of course, waiting for everyone to arrive. Suddenly, a ghost came in through the door, wearing chains around his waist and shaking them, just like you hear in all the movies. Scared me to death. I didn't know where my parents were and there was a ghost coming after me. Or, at least, that's what I thought. I started crying, looking for my parents. My aunt finally found my dad and handed me over to him. Of course, it turned out that the ghost was really my uncle, but for a five year old it was a traumatic experience. Ever since then, I've hated Halloween. Oh sure, I dressed up and went trick-or-treating with my sister, but I really didn't enjoy it. I just don't do Halloween. That's it. Go ahead and laugh."

Nikita was not about to laugh. Michael had actually shared a piece of himself with her. A part, however small, that had helped to mold him into the person he was today. Even if it was only a childhood memory, it was something she would treasure. She actually felt for the little boy who was so frightened. It was hard to reconcile the Michael she knew today with that little boy, but on very rare occasions, usually when her life was in danger, she would glimpse that fear.

"Michael," she finally spoke. "I understand. I would never laugh at something like that. But we aren't going to have any scary ghosts or goblins at this party. Some of the children won't even be able to dress up. We're just going to give them a few hours of fun."

Michael finally gave up and said "Fine."

They were trying to plan the menu. Nikita and Walter wanted ice cream, cupcakes, candy corn, cider, hot chocolate ... all the stuff that makes a Halloween party great. Michael, on the other hand, had other ideas.

"Nikita, these children are in the hospital. I'm sure their doctors won't want them eating all that junk. How about ... I don't know, apple slices and carrot sticks, things like that?"

Walter groaned and Nikita rolled her eyes. "Michael, you can't be serious. This is Halloween! The poor kids won't be able to go trick-or-treating. The least we can do is give them some food to eat that they will enjoy!" Nikita just shook her head. Michael gave in.

"Fine. What else do we have to do?"

Walter laughed. "Hey Michael, do you think you could be anymore enthusiastic about this?" Nikita watched Michael and saw the tensing of his jaw. She decided it was time to step in.

"Walter, behave yourself. Leave Michael alone. He's here and he's helping."

"Yeah, okay, Sugar. I just hope he shows a little more enthusiasm at the party or the he'll sure bring the kids down."

Nikita knew she better change the subject fast,or Michael would be gone. She glanced at Walter and threw him a look that said "You better stop it right now, or else."