“Why are we here?” Michael asks and Simone looks at the hallway. A door opens and the stern Michael walks down the hallway. Michael looks at himself. The image twisted his heart and then pulled it out. There was a drawn back face of months of tiredness. There was no graceful movement that Michael had prided himself in having with each stride of his long muscular legs.

“You are a machine. Exactly what Section wanted.” Simone says as another door opens at the other end. Madeline and Operations enter; wearing about the same black attire that Michael is wearing. They stop in front of Michael and nod their heads.

“It’s been a year, Michael. We see that you can go on.” Madeline says and machine Michael nods his head. Operations smiles and pats Michael’s shoulder.

“I can’t say I was pleased with what led to the events that occurred, but I am pleased with the outcomes.” Operations says and Michael barely even nods his head.

“We do have one string untied.” Madeline says as she looks to the door.

“That should be cleaned up and dispose of tonight.” Operations says and Michael lifts his head.

“If that is what you feel is best, sir.” Michael says. Operations nods his head and motions for Michael to follow Madeline and himself back down the hallway.

Michael watches his future self walk down the hallway. Simone taps his shoulder.

“Look at him.” Simone says and Michael turns and watches himself walk down the hallway. The door slide opens, and stayed open as the trio continued on.

“I am.” Michael says and he continues to stare. Suddenly, Michael’s head is sharply turned around. He is facing the small 4 by 4 inched square window of the metal door. Michael turns his head and he sees Simone’s eyes.

“Look, Michael.” Simone says and Michael looks down. There sat a little boy, no more than two years old. Michael looks as he sees the smile that had graced Nikita’s face as the boy points to Michael. Michael’s focus sharpens as he starts to be drawn into the green eyes, which were those of his own. Michael steps back and shakes his head.

“No… that couldn’t happen…” Michael says and Simone takes Michael’s hand and leads him back to the door. Michael looks in and sees the hair of the boy already showing the mother’s blonde hair, but the boy already had the strong chin and prominent eyebrows of the father.

“Madeline had ordered you and Nikita to act as husband and wife, in a mission similar to the Armel mission.” Simone says and Michael turns to her.

“We would have used protection.” Michael says and Simone cups Michael’s chin softly and directs it back to the room.

“No protection is one hundred percent, Michael. Nikita went to you, and you abandoned her before the sentence was even out of her mouth. You detached yourself from her. She was protected, and gave birth. They took her son away, and she no longer had you.” Simone says slowly and measured as she watches Michael’s eyes studies the beautiful mixture of his genes and Nikita’s genes in the boy that sat in the room.

“She would not have stepped in front of a bullet.” Michael says. “Not with a son.” Michael says and Simone looks away. She steps back, and Michael follows her.

“She was told that the son died. They kept him alive, so if she got to be too big of a problem, Operations could use it to make her do the activities they wanted.” Simone says and Michael shakes his head.

“How did this all happen? How did this make her move in front of a bullet?” Michael asks and Simone touches Michael’s chest.

“Remember the empty feeling when Nikita was free. Do you remember how your heart was beating but it hurt with each beat? Remember the pain that you felt each time you closed your eyes when you thought of her. Do you remember the feeling that life didn’t go on whenever she didn’t answer your messages?” Simone says and she watches the tears form in Michael’s eyes, but do not drop.

“She was defeated, Michael.” Simone says and Michael turns his head away and closes his eyes.

“Who shot her? Who’s bullet?” Michael asks and Simone steps back and looks at Michael by looking up with her eyes.

“You know.” Simone says and Michael shakes his head quickly.

“No… no.” Michael says and Simone nods her head.

“She stepped in front of your gun and the bullet that you shot.” Simone says. The tears drop and Simone sights softly. Half of the battle was won. She hugged him tightly and closed his eyes.

“I thought it was over. I have seen it. I don’t want for it to happen.” Michael pleads and Simone nods her head and looks at Michael.

“Do you allow yourself to dream about her?” Simone asks and Michael closes his eyes and moves his head away.

“No… not nightmares… Dreams.” Simone says and Michael shakes his head.

“I do not dream anymore.” Michael says and Simone smiles.

“You didn’t have the capability before. Now you do.” Simone says as she covers Michael’s eyes.

“Dream for me Michael… tell me what you see….” Simone whispers and Michael relaxes in her arms.

“I see her… her hair is so beautiful. It glows like the sun…” Michael starts off and Simone nods her head.

“What else, Michael?” Simone asks and Michael swallows.

“She is walking towards me. Her lips are wet…. And we kiss… slowly. Then she opens her mouth….” Michael says. He snaps his head away from Simone’s hands and smiles.

“I do dream of her. Let me make it right. I have learned.” Michael says and Simone shakes her head.

“Not enough.” Simone says as she takes her hand and covers his eyes again.

“Dream of what your heart wants….. Deep inside of you… it wants something and it needs to dream of that need.” Simone says and Michael leans his head back slightly.

“Where are you Michael?” Simone softly asks and Michael pauses. His eyelashes flutter against the skin of Simone’s palm.

“In the woods…. There is a creak not far. Nikita is dancing while holding my hand.” Michael says and Simone looks at Michael and pulls her hand away.

“Michael… she is your perfect match. Open your heart and forget your mind. Section does not own them, you do.” Simone says as she covers Michael’s eyes and pushes a hand against his heart.

“Tell me what you see…” Simone whispers into Michael’s ear.

“I am standing in front of a room.” Michael says above a whisper and Simone smiles. She feels the last of the connection between her and Michael drift away. His heart is loyal to another.

“Where is Nikita?” Simone asks as she pulls her hand away from Michael’s chest.

“I turn around… there is something cold in my pocket. There are others there. Walter….” Michael says and pauses.

“What is Walter doing?” Simone asks.

“He is walking.. Towards me…. Ah… Nikita… I have never seen her so beautiful. I can’t take my eyes away from her. She smiles at me… and her hands are in mind…” Michael says and Simone lets a few tears slip down her face. It was what was best for Michael, and her own heart was breaking.

“What do you say, Michael?” Simone asks with a slightly emotional voice.

“Nikita… I will give you my heart today… you are what makes my heart beat… you are what starts my day…. I love you Nikita…. And want you as my wife… for life.. .For eternity…” Michael says and he opens his eyes and feels the tears running down his face. Simone rubs them away. Michael trembles as Simone helps Michael lay back down.

“I want to marry her. That is my dream, Simone.” Michael says and Simone nods her head.

“I have known that, Michael. You just had to admit to it so your heart could open up again.” Simone says and she leans down and kisses Michael’s forehead.

“Merry Christmas, Michael…. My friend.” Simone says as she takes her hands and closes his eyes. She pauses as she watches his slumber, finally peaceful.

“I will never be far…. But you are fine now, my Michael. Let the light of Nikita take you over. Enjoy your Christmas gift.” Simone whispers as she looks up and nods her head.

She was no longer vital for Michael’s survival. That has been shifted to the one that had his heart for three years already.

5:35

Michael closed his eyes and thought for a moment. Nikita’s Christmas started at 8 o’clock. He had a lot to do. Michael pulled his body out of bed and looked around the room. He was almost scared that someone else would show up, but once he made his way to the closet, he knew that the night had finished. Michael was humming, and did not even notice until he pulled out the first long box wrapped in an elegant gold paper.

There was a lot to do, and Michael pulled out a huge black bag and started to fill it. He had collected so many different gifts for Nikita over the past three years, and now she was going to have them all for Christmas. Michael stopped and thought for a moment.

He looked at the long gold box and smiled. He had not put a label on it yet. He ran to the kitchen and pulled out a newspaper. Christmas had become such a commerical holiday, that he found many stores that were opened for a few hours. What he couldn’t buy, he would get by other means.

“God… I love Nikita.” Michael says as he looks at himself in the mirror. He stopped and thought for a moment. He had to make this day perfect, no matter who was in that room. Nikita was what mattered. He had neglected her far too long.

The holiday music played in Nikita’s apartment as she hummed with the music. She twirled around lightly as she pulled out some huge pillows so that her guests could sit down. Nikita felt she did a great job on selecting gifts this year.

Nikita was at the door before Walter even knocked. Nikita smiled as she hugged Walter. The night before when he was leaving for Nikita was difficult. He didn’t want to leave her alone. She had been alone too much of her life. Walter looked around and took a deep breath in.

“Hot chocolate!” Walter says and Nikita looks to the shove and Walter walks quickly to it. Nikita is about to close the door when Birkoff walks in. He smiles and looks behind him.

“They weren’t far behind. They look really happy this year.” Birkoff says and Nikita smiles. It was about time that Madeline and Operations had a good time. Nikita stepped out into the hallway and motioned for them to hurry. They slightly jogged to Nikita’s apartment, with gifts in hand. Birkoff and Walter had brought theirs over last night when helping Nikita decorate her Christmas tree.

Madeline walks to the tree and looks at decorations. Madeline fingers the sunglasses ornament and turns to Nikita as she flops her body down on the huge pillows.

“Nikita… I thought you stopped decorating your trees with sunglasses?” Madeline asks and Nikita turns to Walter and playfully slaps him.

“You told her about my first Christmas!” Nikita says in mild shock.

“It was too cute to keep to myself…. Plus, Birkoff had it on tape!” Walter says and Nikita delightfully smiles as she shakes her head. Operations looks at the happy bunch on around the tree and walks towards it himself. Walter, Madeline, and Birkoff were all on the couch. Operations looks around and sees a chair, but does what Nikita does.

“Can I be Santa Claus?” Operations asks as he places the gifts that Madeline and himself had brought in under the tree. No one makes a motion to stop him. He first turns to a huge box to the right and sees that it is for Birkoff. He leans his head up and the gold paper calls out to him.

“To Nikita.” Operations says and hands it to Nikita. She looks at the label and looks around.

“Walter?” Nikita asks and he shrugs his shoulders.

“Not from me. I can’t wrap that nicely!” Walter says and Nikita looks around to find blank stares around the room.

“If it isn’t from any of you… then who is it from?” Nikita questions. Everyone looks at Nikita.

“None of you?” Nikita asks and they all look at Nikita. Some of them had ideas where the gift came from and others did not. Walter leaned back and laughed slightly.

“Guess it is from Santa Claus!” Walter says and Nikita laughs slightly and pulls out the black leather box. She looks and opens the box. Then she ceases to move.

Glistening back at her, was a beautiful necklace with ten diamonds placed delicately on the silver chain. Madeline turned her head as she saw the flickers of rainbows crossing Nikita’s face. Walter stood up and walked behind Nikita and admitted a low and long whistle. He bends down and looked at the exquisite necklace some more.

“Look at that quality.” Walter says and Nikita turns him and smiles.

“I knew it was from you, Walter!” Nikita says and he stands up and shakes his head.

“No me, sugar.” Walter says and he internally smiles. He knew whom the secret Santa Claus was, and Walter was pretty sure that Madeline and Operations also knew.

“HO HO HO!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!” Bellows outside in the hallway and the door swings open. Nikita turns her head and stares as the man walks in, decked out in a Santa’s outfit, a huge brown bag of gifts and a pair of black sunglasses. Nikita hands Madeline the box as she slowly stands up.

“Merry Christmas, Nikita.” Santa says and Nikita tilts her head to the side and studies the person. He drops the bag and looks to Walter and Birkoff. He opens the bag and pulls out two gifts.

“I’ll give these to you two now… if you go get the three bags left in my car.” Santa says as he drops the keys in Walter’s lap. Birkoff starts to rip at the package and starts to jump.

“DAMN! It’s the game!!!! YES! YES! YES! YES!” Birkoff screams as he jumps. Santa smiles at Walter and walks back to the frozen Nikita. Nikita reaches her hands up and takes the glasses off and reveals the green eyes that she was both excited to see but also frightened to see.

“Michael?” Nikita finally speaks and he pushes the beard down over his chin. Nikita feels his leather gloved hands take her lower back closer to him as he picks her up and kisses her. Quickly, Nikita’s world is spinning, and not from just the connection of her lips to Michael’s. Michael set her down after the spinning kiss and grins.

“Merry Christmas. I see you got your gift.” Michael says as he looks at Madeline’s hand. He pulls off the gloves and crosses to the gift. He pulls it out of the box and wraps it around Nikita’s neck. He brushes his hand against her chin and smiles.

“Hey… Birkoff… why don’t you and Operations get the rest of those gifts for Michael…” Madeline says. This was what Madeline had dreamed of, but Nikita’s reaction was not what she thought. Nikita placed a hand on Michael’s chest.

“I can’t keep it. It’s too much.” Nikita says and Michael takes Nikita’s hand softly in his. He bends down and kisses it.

“Nothing is enough for you.” Michael says. They are in another world as Operations pulls Birkoff out of the room. Walter watches the door close before turning his look to Michael and Nikita.

“What has happened to you, Michael? Have you been drugged? Drinking?” Nikita asks and Michael smiles and strokes Nikita’s chin again.

“Dreaming. That’s all.” Michael says and Nikita starts to sway on her feet. Madeline stands up and looks at Michael. Michael smiles broadly and Madeline feels her heart swell with pride.

“Nikita… let’s go see what the necklace looks like in your bedroom mirror.” Madeline says and Nikita nods her head. She starts to move, but does not take her eyes off of Michael as she retreats.

“Oh, Michael…” Walter says and Michael starts to laugh.

“The spirit of Christmas. You should know that!” Michael says as he leans back and holds his stomach and releases some more deep ho ho ho’s into the air. Walter grabs the gift out of Michael’s hand and stares at him.

“Michael.. Have you been drinking?” Walter asks as he looks into the shining green eyes of Michael’s. He could not remember the last time he saw a twinkle in Michael’s eyes.

“Last night I was… until Belinda changed all of my liquor for apple juice. She then switched it back without telling me!” Michael says as he just dives into bag for another gift.

“Michael.. Belinda is dead.” Walter says tensely and Michael nods his head.

“Yes, I know. So is Jurgen, Adrian, and Simone… but I saw them all last night.” Michael says and Walter drops the gift and looks at Michael.

“Ok, Michael. You are now scaring me.” Walter says and Michael takes Walter hand and points to the sunglasses.

“I know about them. How Nikita decorated her first Christmas tree in them… and how the ornament is to not have her dwell on her first Christmas in her apartment but just kindly remind her where she has come from.” Michael says and Walter pulls his hand back and looks at Michael.

“Amazing what a few ghosts and being stuck in a television can do to a man.” Michael says as he stands up.

In the bedroom, there are still no words as Nikita’s fingers graze the diamonds as she stares at the necklace in the mirror.

“I know this is a shock to you, Nikita.” Madeline finally says and Nikita looks at Madeline and nods her head.

“My gifts for him… are above the bathroom. I need to get them.” Nikita says and Madeline nods her head. Madeline motherly places her hands on Nikita’s shoulders and smiles.

“He has transformed Nikita. Michael stopped dreaming a long time ago. It must have taken him courage to dream again. I do not have to guess what he was dreaming about.” Madeline says as she touches the necklace. Madeline did not doubt that Michael had the matching ring all ready in his possession, but knew that Michael was still far from that point.

“HO! HO! HO! Nikita! You have gifts!” Michael calls out from outside the bedroom. Madeline smiles and opens the door. Madeline walks down and to the bathroom as Michael walks into the bedroom.

“You called me a grinch.” Michael says and Nikita giggles and nods her head. Michael touches her chin softly and licks his lips.

“Tell me what you dreamed of.” Nikita says and Michael sits Nikita down on the bed.

“Some of it, I cannot explain. You would not understand.” Michael says and Nikita looks at Michael. She suddenly does not worry about what he dreamed of last night. Her thoughts stopped and she smiled.

“What will you dream of tonight?” Nikita asks and Michael smiles and lightly brushes his lips against hers.

“You and me.” Michael says and Nikita drops her head with a slight blush. Michael had never been so blunt about them. Nikita laughs softly as there is some pounding at her door.

“Michael! Are you trying to kill us!” Birkoff calls out and Nikita stands up and takes Michael’s hand.

“You are the only Christmas gift I need and wanted.” Nikita says and Michael takes his hands and pulls her head tightly against his mouth. Deeply he sank into Nikita’s being.

“HEY!… oh…” Walter says as he steps into the bedroom and stops. Nikita pulls away and readjusts the necklace. Walter winks to Michael and smiles at Nikita.

“Nikita… that Santa Claus of yours must have bought an entire store! You have to come see.” Walter says and Nikita runs out of the room. In the living room, there sat four more huge bags and Nikita looks like a child on their first Christmas. It was everything that Nikita had ever wished for as a little child, and as an adult. Nikita jumped down on to her pillow with a squeal of delight.

“Nikita… I am going to work on the meal.” Madeline says as she stands up and starts to wade through the boxes. Nikita nods her head and Michael finally comes to sit down by her. Nikita smiles and drops her head towards his shoulder.

Michael turns his head and smiles at Nikita and Walter clears his throat. Operations was staring at the two intently and Nikita pulled her head up quickly. She looks at Michael’s pile of things and pulls at a brown sweater with a green stripe that circled it twice.

“Why don’t you try this on?” Nikita asks and Michael nods his head. He moves to the bathroom. Birkoff leans down and shows Nikita the new computer game that he was playing. Nikita tries to get a chance to play but Birkoff playfully slaps her.

“Children!” Walter giggles out and Nikita starts to laugh with Walter. Nikita turns her attention from Birkoff as Michael walks out of the bathroom.

“Ah, Nikita… the stripe…” Michael says as he looks down. Nikita nods her head. It looked exactly like she wanted it to look. Nikita stood up and smiled at Michael. Nikita runs her hand over the sweater and smiles.

“You have it on backwards.” Nikita says as she runs her hand across the stripe. Michael pulls back slightly as her hand rubs against his chest, sending shocks of sensation throughout his body.

“How can you tell?” Michael asks as he reaches his hands around Nikita and starts to tickle her. Nikita starts to squirm. Nikita starts to try to tickle Michael back.

“Here… I will show you how….” Nikita says as Michael opens the bathroom door. Nikita lets out a squeal of laughter out as Michael tickles under her arms harder. Briefly, his hand roams across her chest and Nikita smiles.

“Take the sweater.. .HA HA HA HA… off.. Michael!” Nikita says as she feels her feet drag over from the carpet to the tiles of the bathroom. Michael swings a hand out and closes the bathroom door. Instantly, the temperature triples as Michael pulls off his sweater. Nikita licks her lips and looks to the door.

“Michael… the sweater.. It’s caught on my necklace!!!!” Nikita screams out as Michael turns Nikita towards a wall. Nikita smiles as Michael rubs his hands into her long blonde hair.

“Hold still, Nikita.” Michael says in a smoldering voice and Nikita stops her movements. Michael runs his hands down to Nikita’s waist as he starts to lean into Nikita. His nose brushes against Nikita’s small nose as he starts to tilt his head. Slowly, both of their red and moist lips part as they tremble in excitement touch the sweet skin of the other’s.

Michael allows a low moan enter Nikita’s body as he starts to press his firm body closer to Nikita’s and Nikita pulls his head closer to hers.

Nikita opens her eyes and finds Michael’s green eyes staring into her face. She looks at the emerald green eyes and feels her knees start to give away to the sensations of Michael’s hands rubbing underneath her pajama bottoms and his tongue mingling with her tongue. She did not want to let go of Michael. She slowly rubbed a hand down his chest.

“Nikita… did you free the necklace?” Madeline asks as she knocks on the door.

“No!!! Not that way Michael.. Don’t pull!” Nikita screams out, as her mouth is only a fraction away from Michael’s warm mouth.

“You are going to break it! Be careful Nikita!” Michael calls out and Nikita looks at him and kisses his lips softly.

“Nikita… I think your turkey is done.” Madeline says and Nikita looks to Michael. She turns towards the door, but Michael holds her tightly still. Nikita turns and grazes her lips against Michael’s. Nikita leaned into Michael’s body again, both starting to lose control and track of the time.

“Nikita!!!! We are hungry! Let us help!” Walter calls out as he is heard near the door. Nikita pushes Michael back and unclasps the necklace from her neck and straightens her clothing. Michael turns to pull on the Santa shirt back on.

“Look… I just had to unclasp it…” Nikita says as she walks out of the bathroom and walks to the kitchen.

“Wow.. Madeline… you finished it.” Nikita says as she watches Michael walk out of the bathroom. He walks over to the tree and looks at Birkoff who is still playing his game and then Operations.

“Michael…. Next time, remember that Nikita wears lipstick all the time.” Operations says as he stands up to go sit at the table. Nikita drops her head and starts to turn red as Michael turns and walks to the bathroom.

“Thanks for the car game, Nikita. I really like it.” Birkoff says and Nikita smiles and looks at Michael.

“I know it doesn’t compare to Michael’s gift….” Nikita says as Birkoff walks out of the apartment. He laughs slightly.

“I don’t think anything will touch that!” Birkoff says as he skips down the hallway. Nikita turns back to find Operations standing at the door. The line to exit, Nikita thought to herself.

“Dinner was delicious, Nikita. Desert was all right. Next time, remember the whip cream.” Operations says as he shakes Nikita’s hand. Nikita nods and smiles softly. Operations turns his head and looks at Michael as he walks out into the hallway and waits for Madeline.

“I wouldn’t wear that necklace to Section, Nikita.” Madeline says as she uncharacteristically hugs Nikita. Nikita smiles and nods her head.

“Don’t worry. Didn’t plan on it.” Nikita says and Madeline nods her head. She stops and looks at Michael and then to Nikita.

“You have grown so much in three years, Nikita. I am proud of you and will wonder how next year will top this year.” Madeline says as she looks at Michael and exits. She walks to Operations and openly wraps her arms around Operations as they start to walk. She looks at the door. She had a firm suspicion what would top off this year if Nikita and Michael were able to stay on track.

Nikita turned and saw Walter watching the hallway clear before he opened his mouth.

“The whip cream is underneath the frozen peas that you use to ice your ankle.” Walter whispers into Nikita’s ear and Nikita giggles, turns red, and drops her head. Walter smiles.

“I wish it was me that you were saving it for… but...,” Walter says as he turns and looks at Michael ask he stands at the counter top. “ I don’t think it was too bad of a choice.” Walter says. He stops and drops his bag to the floor. He pulls Michael to the side and Nikita shuts the door and Walter rethinks his position and moves Michael further away from Nikita.

“Look.. I don’t want this to be a one night thing…” Walter says and Michael looks at him sternly. Walter looks into the green eyes and starts to smile.

“I don’t know what happened last night, Michael. But by god, thank god it happened.” Walter says as he smiles and slaps the man on the shoulder. Michael nods his head. Walter leans in close and hands something to Michael and quickly moves to Nikita.

“Sugar!!! I am sooo happy for you!” Walter says he picks her up in bear hug and spins her around. Nikita giggles and Walter carefully sets Nikita back down on the ground. Nikita reaches out and touches Walter’s cheek.

“Thank you, Walter.” Nikita says and Walter shakes his head.

“No, thank you, Nikita. You are one hell of a person… and you are what Christmas for everyone should be about!” Walter says as he looks up at Michael and nods his head.

“Jingle bells.. Jingle bells.. Jingle all the way…” Walter sings out as he starts down the hallway. Nikita closes the door and smiles at Michael.

“I know what Walter slipped to you. Wrapped in gold?” Nikita asks as she pulls out the wrapped items from her back pocket. Michael blushes as he exposes them his set to Nikita.

“Madeline slipped them in my pocket. The reason for the hug.” Nikita says as she moves to the kitchen and opens the freezer door.

“I think I want to know what Santa wears underneath his suit.” Nikita says with a sexy smile as she pulls out the chilled container of whip cream. Michael lifts an eyebrow.

“And what if he said nothing?” Michael asks as he watches Nikita open the container and dip her pinkie finger into the whip cream and slowly suck it off of her finger.

“This little elf will be happy.. And I can think of two packages that would be ready to be… ah fondled.” Nikita says as she walks to Michael with the whip cream. She moves her hand towards the Santa suit and smiles.

“Easy access.” Nikita says with a wink. Michael picks Nikita up in his arms. Nikita giggles as she dabs some whip cream on his nose and lightly licks it off.

“Santa wants to go to bed.” Michael says and Nikita giggles as her lips glide against Michael’s. She inhales his tongue into her mouth and sighs.

“Well.. This elf is ready to serve Santa.” Nikita says as Michael pushes the light switch off.

Jurgen felt a similar pain, as he looked down not far from Simone. Although his relationship with Nikita was never as physical and attached like Simone was with Michael, he found something in Nikita that made him face who he was.

“Do you regret that we have done this for them?” Simone asks Jurgen softly. Jurgen watches as Michael pulls Nikita tighter in his sleep. His lips brush against her ear as he mumbles in his sleep.

“No.” Jurgen simply answers and turns to Simone.

“Oddly, I don’t either.” Simone says and Jurgen smiles as he moves closer to her.

“We have done our job. Heal the soul so the heart can love.” Jurgen says and Simone looks at Jurgen and nods her head slightly.

“No, Jurgen. He has always loved Nikita. We all know that.” Simone says softly as Nikita turns her body into his, her forehead resting against Michael’s lips.

“I love you, ‘Kita…” Michael mutters softly as his eyes are still shut. Jurgen turns to Simone. She has spoken the truth that was so painful for the two of them.

“We don’t belong here anymore.” Jurgen says as he turns around. No more than two steps away were Belinda and Adrian.

“We only interlope into their lives and dreams for a short period of time, but make an impact for eternity.” Adrian comments as she looks down at the two. She smiles. The two combined would be more powerful and strong than the two separately.

“My Walter will watch them.” Belinda comments and forces out a harsh smile at the comment.

“Let’s go. They are fine.” Adrian says as she touches Simone’s shoulder. The three turn and Simone looks down. Jurgen looks back and goes to Simone.

“Merry Christmas, Nikita.” Jurgen says and he looks at Simone. Simone smiles and nods her head and looks as a lock of Michael’s curly damp hair falls over his eyes.

“Merry Christmas, Michael, my friend.” Simone says as she links her arm with Jurgen. Jurgen smiles and starts to walk with her.

“Want to go rattle some chains at Madeline’s?” Jurgen asks as they disappear.

Down below, Michael’s eyes slowly open and he kisses Nikita’s head softly. Nikita’s body reacted to Michael’s wakened state by pulling Nikita’s blue eyes open to look at him.

“What is it, Michael?” Nikita asks softly as she looks into his green eyes. Michael smiles and kisses Nikita’s lips softly.

“I don’t want to upset you…” Michael says softly and Nikita sits up in bed and brushes back the same strand of hair that Simone had noticed.

“Michael.” Nikita says and he gives a long sigh as he sits up next to Nikita and gains his thoughts.

“It’s hard to explain… I heard Simone.” Michael says and Nikita blinks her eyes and looks away lightly. She drops her head slightly and looks at Michael.

“I heard Jurgen. I think it will be the last time. I think it was his good-bye.” Nikita says softly and Michael looks at Nikita and rubs her chin softly and runs his hand down to the silver and diamond necklace that hung on her neck.

“I believe it is the same with me. It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Michael says and Nikita smiles softly. She takes Michael’s hand and kisses it softly.

“Tell me what you dream of Michael.” Nikita says softly and this was the time for Michael to turn his head.

“Nikita…” Michael says and Nikita takes her hand and presses it against his naked chest.

“I heard you talking..” Nikita says and she hears Michael take a huge gasp and she smiles.

“What was I saying?” Michael finally asks and Nikita giggles softly.

“I do… I do.. I do…” Nikita says and Michael turns his head towards her.

“What do you think I was dreaming of?” Michael asks as he looks into her blue eyes. Michael shakes his head and places three fingers over her lips.

“Don’t answer that.” Michael says as he turns and drops his head. Slowly his fingers drop from Nikita’s mouth and Nikita settles down on his shoulder and wraps her arms around Michael’s stomach. They share the warmth as Nikita bends down and kisses Michael’s shoulder.

“What if I answered your question with an I do of my own?” Nikita softly asks. Michael’s green eyes open wide as he slightly turns his head to gaze as Nikita as she places her chin on his shoulder and smiles broadly.

“Because I do.” Nikita says and Michael kisses her nose slightly.

“You do?” Michael asks and Nikita’s eyes sparkle as she nods her head.

“It’s too soon.” Michael says as he turns his head and Nikita kisses his earlobe before letting her warm breath tickle his ear.

“It will be I do anytime, Michael.” Nikita says as she starts to rub his chest softly. Michael turns and runs a hand down her arm and smiles.

“Like now… I do….” Nikita says and Michael slowly bends down to make tender love to Nikita’s mouth with his tongue.

Words ceased as actions began. Sometimes actions speak louder than words, but this time, it was the words that mattered. Nikita knew Michael’s answer and Michael knew Nikita’s answer. It did not matter if the day would ever come, what matter is that they shared a dream together, and that was something that never occurred in any of their lives before and never would happen again.