Hap's was jumping by the time that Kimber and Michael made it on the scene. It was THE spot for the twenty-something crowd, and to say that it was a madhouse would not have given it justice. Michael gazed around him, taking in the smiling, laughing faces. He suddenly felt very out of place, and more than a bit uncomfortable. Kimber, noticing the reluctance in his eyes, patted him on the arm and smiled.

'Don't worry Michael. We will go in, make an appearance, make Annie happy, then head back home, okay?' she asked. She was smiling, and the smile warmed Michael right down to his soul. And, with the look of happiness that he was seeing in her eyes, how could he say no.

'Okay,' he replied, with a slight smile of his own. Then, moving his hand in front of them, in a wide, sweeping gesture, and bowing, he spoke. 'After you, my lady?'

Kimber, tipping her head, and giggling, preceded Michael through the crowd, and into the club. Before entering the club, Michael glanced off to his right. He caught sight of a camera crew, that appeared to be doing a remote broadcast of the club. Thinking how strange, then pushing the thought to the back of his mind, he followed Kimber into Hap's.

He didn't answer at first. His gaze was darting rapidly around the room, scanning the perimeter for any anomalies. When Michael realized how strange he must appear, he dropped his head, and looked at the floor. When Kimber took his chin in her hand, and raised his gaze to meet hers, he let out a long, slow sigh. 'Michael, you're scaring me. Are you okay?'

Michael could barely hear Kimber over the roar of the music. But, seeing the look of worry and fear in her eyes, he nodded and smiled. Then, leaning in close, he brushed a kiss across the end of her nose. Moving his lips to her ear, he spoke so that she could hear him. 'I am fine. Just, a little tired is all.'

Kimber nodded, but he still noticed a look of uncertainty in her gaze. After she reemphasized that they wouldn't stay long, they began to move across the room again, to join up with Annie.

***********

When they got to the table, Annie eyed Michael up and down, smiling slyly. Then, taking Kimber by the arm, and pulling her to her side of the table, leaned in to talk so that she could be heard.

Kimber, trying to get Annie to behave, had just about given up the battle, when she saw *the* look in Annie's eye. Trying to warn Michael in advance, she only succeeded in causing Annie to be more aggressive than usual.

Annie walked past Kimber, around the table, and right up to Michael. Running her finger down the side of his face, and across his bottom lip, she purred.

Moving in, his lips so close her hers, Kimber closed her eyes. But, in the next moment, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. 'Mind if I cut in?'

Michael, never taking his eyes off of Kimber's, reluctantly put his arm around Annie, but keep a slight space between then. Then, moving ever so slightly, he set the tone for their dance. Kimber, trying to keep herself from being jealous, walked back to the table, and sat down. Stealing glances every now and then, she would always see that Michael was looking at her, as he moved across the floor with Annie.

Stepping forward, Kimber guided Michael through the crowd, past the bar, and to the door. Stepping through, with him closely behind her, she smiled. At that moment, she never felt more in control, or more elated in her entire life. And, also at that moment, she had no idea that her world was about to be turned completely upside down.

***********

Concealed within the dark shadows of the alley, a lone figure, leaning against a brick building, dropped a cigarette, crushing it out with the toe of his shoe. Then, reaching into his coat pocket, took out a cell phone. Flipping it open, he touched the single speed dial, and raised it to his ear. As the connection was made, and the voice filtered over the line, he smiled.

'Yeah, its me. Tell Gideon that I found him. It doesn't look like he knows, but we can't be for sure.'

Stepping from the shadows, where he had been comfortably ensconced for the past two hours, the figure moved silently down the street. He never once took his eyes off of the couple, in front of him, walking hand in hand. Thinking to himself what was in store for the duo, a wicked grin spread across his lips, and he chuckled to himself. Then, pulling the collar up on his coat, he quickened his pace, crossing the street, and taking up a position just behind his targets.

***********

Nikita walked down the dimly lit corridor, turning the corner to find Birkoff waiting for her. She could see he was wired, and thought that she needed to remind him to get a little more sleep. But, before she could open her mouth, he took her by the elbow, and led her across the lobby and over to his desk. Guiding her to the chair, he waited until she sat down. Then, placing his hands on the back of the chair, he swung it around so that she was facing the computer monitor.

'Birkoff,' she began, a tone of hostility edging her voice, 'this had better be good to call me in at four o'clock in the morning on my down time.'

Birkoff only glanced around, to make sure that no one was watching. Assured that they had their privacy, he leaned over Nikita's shoulder, and keyed in his password. After a few short seconds, the monitor flickered to life. The picture was dark, but had been enhanced, no doubt by Birkoff, Nikita thought.

'Okay,' she began, 'I'll bite. What am I looking at here Seymour?'

Typing on his keyboard again, the picture magnified, settling on the front of a nightclub. Just as Nikita was about to spin around, and show Birkoff the meaning of pain, her eyes narrowed, and she gasped.

"Where did this come from Birkoff?' Nikita asked, typing on the keyboard, trying to enhance the picture even more.

'I was making a sweep of television stations broadcasts, and came across it,' he said, moving to help her, only to have her push his hands away.

The girl was not familiar to Nikita, but the young man was. It was Michael, and he was alive. Nikita's gasp of shock, turned to a laugh of relief. Spinning around, she took hold of Birkoff's head, and planted a kiss of happiness firmly on his lips. Birkoff, taken aback, was momentarily stunned, as Nikita turned her chair back around. Typing at the keyboard, she froze the image, and initiated a print out.

'Birkoff, does anyone else know about this?' she asked, waiting for the print out to finish.

'No, only you and me. I thought you would know how to break it to Madeline and Ops,' Birkoff said, wiping his lips with his fingertips, and trying not to blush. Still shocked by the sudden kiss that Nikita had given him, he only stared at her, like a love sick puppy.

'Seymour,' Nikita said, snapping her fingers in front of him, 'keep this quiet. I need you to get me a location on this club, and we will go from there. It is quite possible that there is a very good reason for why Michael has not contacted Section. Whatever it is, I don't want Madeline and Operations clued in until I we've heard his side of the story.'

Birkoff nodded, in complete understanding. Sitting down, he initiated a download of the image, and all other intel, onto a personal PDA. Once the download was complete, he proceeded to erase all data from the Sections main database. Handing the PDA to Nikita, a look of concern crossed his face.

'You're the only one with the intel now. I hope you know what you're doing,' he said, without much conviction.

'Ah, Seymour,' Nikita murmured, 'have faith,' touching her fingertips to her lips, she paused, then lightly placed them on Birkoff's.

Turning on her heel, she strolled across the lobby, tapping the PDA against her thigh, a plan already forming in her head.

***********

Ahead of them, just a few short feet, were two rather large, rather familiar looking individuals. As the memory of the night that Michael had come into her life came floating back to her, Kimber drew in a terrified breath. Michael, sensing her fear, placed his hand on her shoulder, and moved her to stand behind him. He placed himself between her and the men, who were assuredly up to no good.

The two men moved forward, smiling wickedly, and licking their lips. Kimber, gripping Michael by the shoulders, dug hers nails in from fear, before she caught herself, and let go. She could feel the anger, and tension radiating from Michael's body, like a living, breathing entity. His muscles were flexed, and taut, like a wild animal about to spring on its prey.

The next few minutes seemed to move so quickly, that Kimber was sure that it had all been a dream. The men came at them, both of them at once, as Michael pushed Kimber back and away from the fray. Then, planting his footing, Michael jabbed out with his hand, catching the smaller man in the jaw, and sending him down. The larger man, undeterred, moved in, thinking he had the upper hand on Michael. That was his mistake. Michael, kicking out with his leg, caught the man in his midsection, knocking not only the air, but the bluster out of the man.

With both men on the ground, groaning and moaning, Michael circled them, making sure that they were not coming at him again. After making sure that they were down for the count, Michael took Kimber by the arm, and hurried her in front of him. Turning the corner, Michael stole one last look over his shoulder, to make sure that they weren't being followed.

Waiting till Michael and the girl were gone, the figure moved across the street, coming to a stop in front of the two men on the ground. Shaking his head in utter disbelief, he stooped down, looking the larger man in the face.

'*No problem*, you said. *Leave it to us boss*, you said.' Then, standing back up, the figure removed his cellular phone, and punched the speed dial. 'Yeah, its me. Looks like its going to be Plan B. Okay, I will be ready.'

He then flipped the phone closed, and placed it back in his pocket. Removing his wallet, he opened it, and took out some bills. Flinging the bills on the man, he stepped over him, and followed after Michael and Kimber.

The men only watched him leave, wallowing in their pain and embarrassment.

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

'Its okay,' Michael replied, reaching out to her again. This time, she didn't pull back, as he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. 'You've had a rough couple of days. Why don't you take a shower, and I will see what I can do about something to eat, okay?'

'Okay,' she said weakly, detaching herself from his embrace, and wiping the tears from her eyes. 'A shower might be just what the doctor ordered.' Michael then watched as she disappeared into the bedroom. After waiting a few moments, and hearing the shower water come on, he moved into the kitchen, and to the fridge. Opening the door, he scanned the meager contents. Deciding on something simple, and basic, he took out a loaf of bread, a few slices of cheese, and the tub of butter. He then set about making them some warm, toasty cheese sandwiches.

'Kimber? Are you okay?' Michael's only answer were those of soul wrenching, choking sobs. Pushing the door gently, until it stood entirely open, Michael's gaze fell to the floor, in front of the tub. Sitting, covered by nothing but a white towel, and her knees pulled up to her chest, was Kimber. She was rocking back and forth, sobbing and crying uncontrollably. As if by some pure instinct to protect and comfort her, Michael ran to her, and sank to his knees. Taking her in his arms, he smoothed her hair, kissing the top of her head.

When Michael pulled her to him, she grabbed hold of him as if her very life depended on it. She had never felt so scared, or so alone in her entire life. She knew that, in her fear, she was reaching out to someone she had only met a few days before, but at that moment, it made no difference. She only knew that Michael made her feel safe, and at that moment in time, feeling safe was all that mattered.

Tilting her head back, her face and eyes red from her sobbing, she looked up at Michael. 'Promise me. Promise me you will never leave me,' she pleaded, choking it out in between her sobs.

Michael only continued to hold, and soothe her. Then, knowing that he was making a promise that he didn't even know if he could keep, he looked down at her. 'I promise, Kimber. I will always be here. Nothing will ever hurt you again.'

Then, taking her head in his hands, he leaned in and lightly brushed his lips across hers. Pulling back from her, he smiled. 'Make love to me Michael. Make me feel safe, and warm,' she whispered. Before Michael could answer, Kimber placed her hands around his neck, and pulling herself up, claimed his lips with her own, in a soul caressing, life altering kiss.