Part 7 by Sherry

{Sherry picks up and decides to throw a few twists and turns into the mix}

Walter and Birkoff started cleaning up Nikita's place. Birkoff was busy cleaning up the kitchen while Walter decided to straighten up the bathroom. He was swinging around a towel when he hit something and sent it flying off the sink. He looked down and his face went pale. He reached down and picked it up. "Uh oh ... now we've got a serious problem."

Then he walked out of the bathroom and yelled "Birkoff. We've got a real problem here. Hurry up. We need to get out of here as soon as possible. When Michael finds out about this I'm dead!"

Birkoff turned round. "Sheesh, Walter. Do you have to yell? My head feels like there are a thousand jackhammers running inside it. What is your problem?"

Walter walked down to Birkoff and held out his hand. Birkoff looked at the thing and then back to Walter. "Is that what I think it is?" Walter nodded his head. "Yeah. It's a home pregnancy test. And ... it's positive."

~~~~~~~~~

Back at Michael's apartment...

"Nikita, please, tell me what set you off. You've seen innocents killed before. I know this mission involved children, but you are not being yourself. Why would you take drugs from Walter? And get drunk on top of it? Why? You are holding something back. Please ... let me help."

Nikita watched Michael's face. Oh how she wanted to tell him. She needed to tell him. They needed to share this together. And she realized, now, what a big mistake she had made. In her condition, drugs and alcohol were the last thing she needed. However, the mission had just been too much and she didn't stop to think about what she was doing. And then, when she wouldn't settle down, Michael had hit her. If she told him, he would hate himself even more. She didn't want to do that to him. But he had a right to know.

She sat down beside him on the couch and took his hand. "Okay, Michael. You're right. I have something to tell you. Then I'm sure you will realize what set me off. I know I was stupid and shouldn't have done what I did. It was definitely the wrong thing to do, but ... I just couldn't think straight. I was in a very bad place inside my head. Walter realized it and was only trying to help. Besides, he didn't know."

Michael was getting impatient. He was glad she decided to confide in him, he just wished she would get to the point. "Nikita. Just tell me. What didn't Walter know? What's wrong?"

She looked at him and smiled. She lifted her hand and caressed her face. "First, Michael, I want you to know I'm happy ... no matter what happens. And I hope you will be too."

"Kita, please. Just tell me. What is it?"

Nikita took a huge breath and then said "Michael, I'm pregnant."

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Part 8 by Kit

"Pregnant?" Michael repeated slowly, shaking his head slightly. He glanced sideways, so she could not get a clear look at his face. She turned his face towards her, desperate to see into his eyes, and terribly fearful at the same time. She needed so urgently for him to be understanding.

At first his face looked like a blank mask, and Nikita thought she would die inside if Michael was going to treat her coldly when she needed so badly for him to be there for her. A cold shot of fear stabbed through her. Then his brow furrowed, and he reached his hand up to cradle her face, gently stroking it in a gesture that never failed to warm her heart.

His face softened with tenderness and concern, and he asked her, "Dear God, Nikita … are you sure?"

"Yes … there's no mistake … I took a test."

"When?"

"After I got home from the mission. I must be about six weeks pregnant."

Both Michael and Nikita were silent for several seconds after this … quietly remembering their night of tender and passionate lovemaking the month previously that brought them to this point.

The loving memories of that night quickly gave way to fear, and made Nikita shudder. Michael felt her tremors, and silently gathered her into his arms, cuddling her head under his chin. Nikita thankfully nestled her face into Michael's jacket, loving, as always, the way he felt and smelled. She rubbed her face in unconscious pleasure against his jacket, and sighed in relief and comfort. It felt so good to be held like this in Michael's arms.

Michael, too, closed his eyes briefly in pleasure, marveling, as always, at how much he loved this woman.

His pleasure quickly gave way to fear and dread, however. The cold realities of life in Section One could not be forgotten for long. "Does anyone else know about this, Nikita?"

"No … I called Walter and told him I was upset, but I didn't tell him about the baby. He didn't ask any questions. He just came over with Birkoff and brought some party supplies," she admitted with some embarrassment.

"We need time to think about our options, and we can't let Section know in the meantime -- they have standard procedures for dealing with these situations."

Nikita dreaded knowing the standard "procedures" that Section utilized in these situations, but felt she had to ask. "What are they?" she wondered in a quavering whisper.

"Operations might see this as an opportunity to finally get rid of you," replied Michael, hating to be so blunt, but wanting Nikita to realize the seriousness of the situation. "He might arrange for you to conveniently have an "accident," or put you in abeyance, or let you have the baby, and then take it away from you. The rumors of what happens to these children are not pleasant."

Nikita shuddered in revulsion in hearing these scenarios, and clung to Michael more tightly. "I know I said I wouldn't run anymore, but I will if I have to -- to protect the baby."

"Shhhhh … we need to stay calm and think carefully about what to do."

"Michael…" Nikita's next words were interrupted by the ringing of Michael's cell phone.

=============================

Part 9 by Marie

Michael's eyes took on their hard cold stone large as he put the cell phone to his ear. "Yes?" He asked and then began holding a conversation with the unheard voice on the other end. A few moments later his eyes returned to Nikita, just a cold and emotionless as when he had first answered the phone. He slowly took the phone away from his ear, shut it off, closed it, and pocketed it.

"Who was it Michael?" Nikita asked his eyes still fixed on her worried and emotional face.

"Operations, we have to go in." Michael told her stonily.

"What, What about..." Nikita began in a stutter.

"It's under control Nikita." Michael told her coldly.

This time Nikita couldn't help herself and tears began to flow down her cheeks in a rush of emotion. "This isn't just about you Michael. I want to know what is going to happen to my baby, our baby." She sobbed through the tears that seemed to blind not only her judgement, but her usual collectiveness as well.

Michael watched sadly at Nikita's tears and understood her concerns. He had seen horrors of what happened to the children of Section operatives, of the children that were born in Section, of the children that had been born before Section. He had seen what they had become and had seen the living proof of what happened to the children of Section Operatives and it was something no innocent child should have to become.

"It's all right Nikita." He soothed. "Nothing will happen to our child." He continued.

"How do you know that?" Nikita asked her teary blue eyes wide and questioning.

"Because I do Nikita. Get yourself together, they mustn't know, we do have to leave and get back to Section." Michael told her and Nikita nodded in acknowledgement.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Birkoff popped the Tylenol into his mouth and took a big swig of the water and grumbled as he hit a few more keys on his keyboard.

"Birkoff!" Michael growled appearing behind the younger man.

Birkoff winced at the pain of the older man's voice, it felt like someone had just smacked him upside the head with a hammer.

"Keep it down will you Michael." Birkoff grumbled in annoyance of his headache, at the moment he didn't want to hear the word alcohol or drinking every in his life again.

Michael stared down at the younger man and knew he was suffering from a hang over. Michael smiled to himself and hoped the younger man would learn his lesson next time.

"What is it Michael?" Birkoff growled.

"I need George's private number and this person's." Michael whispered under his normal tone at Birkoff, sliding a piece of paper to him.

"You know I can't do that Michael." Birkoff told him in a quiet and solemn manner, looking at the paper.

"What you can do and what you will do Birkoff, are two separate items of discussion." Michael and Birkoff with what seemed to be a half threat.

"No problem Michael, but she might be a bit of problem." Birkoff said and leaned over his computer heeding Michael's warning and referring to the name of the paper.

"I have faith in you Birkoff." Michael told Birkoff with a tone of pride and warmth towards the younger man who was like a kid brother.

Michael watched Birkoff and the surrounding area with caution, if anyone found out what he was doing, especially Madeline and Operations. The young woman existence was to be an unknown factor of life, even to many Section Operatives. She was George's granddaughter and the ally he needed in saving his and Nikita's child.

"Michael." Birkoff called his name brining him from his train of thought.

"Yes?" Michael asked.

"Here, but be careful." Birkoff told him. George's granddaughter and his friend and been appropriately named. With the personality something between a trained operative and a huntress stalking her prey, the young woman he had trained with at the agency and been lean and cold towards almost everyone to protect the secret that she carried. The secret of her family, a similar secret that Birkoff carried in his own deep soul, a secret known to so few and so little shared for it could mean death to the outsiders that whey were. He had not heard from his friend in almost two years and one thing that he had found was that you did not find her she found you. Michael was going into dangerous territory to track down...

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Part 10 by Jess

Michael held Gwen's phone number in his hand and he looked across the hallway at the older man that stared at him. Michael ground his teeth together as he crossed the hallway as he had serious issues to talk to Walter about.

"In." Michael said as he opened the office door and watched as Walter walked in. Walter turned and waited for him to turn off the cameras. Michael sat down and stared at him.

"I cannot believe you, and I will be thinking of ways to deal with this situation." Michael stated and Walter leaned forward and looked at Michael.

"I'm worried about Nikita. Has she been checked?" Walter questioned and Michael swallowed and looked forward at Walter.

"You should be worried. You took the stuff to her apartment." Michael said and Walter looked off to the side. Now would not be the time to tell Michael that Nikita had kept a small stash herself for emergencies, in case she had no other way to calm down. Walter looked forward and nodded his head.

"I am sorry, Michael, but I am worried. She didn't look good when she came out of your office earlier." Walter said and Michael blinked his eyes. Nikita had been immediately sent out on a mission and he had not seen her.

"She was in here?" Michael questioned and Walter nodded his head.

"She looked almost bent over." Walter said and Michael closed his eyes. The motions of the hallway came back to haunt him. He had hit her in the kidneys.

"You know, Michael. You don't know about addiction. It is hell. You think you have beat it.. but then once you are off, it is so hard to get back on track. AA isn't the answer or anything, but hell, Michael. I'd watch her and get her checked. Some serious problems could happen with all that crap." Walter said and Michael moved his eyes to the side and started to dig through his desk. He slammed each drawer loudly and closed his eyes.

"I punched her in the kidneys." Michael said and Walter looked at Michael and stood up.

"And you keep the pain medication that medical gives you that you don't take in here." Walter stated and Michael swallowed.

"And it's gone. Her apartment is clean, correct?" Michael questioned and Walter dropped his head.

"No." Walter said and Michael stood up and flew towards the door.

"I'm going with you." Walter said, knowing that Michael hasn't dealt with addiction before.

***

Nikita lifted the lid to the cookie jar and lifted the joint out of the jar. She looked at it as the pain took her body over. She was scared, and believed that she had to calm down. The pain medication had not stopped the pain and now she was looking for anything to stop the end.

"I can't... no.. This is wrong..." Nikita murmured out as she carried the joint to the couch with her. She sat it down on the coffee table as the pain doubled her body over again.

"Nikita!" Michael cried out as he pounded at the door. Nikita looked at the door and the pain seemed to triple.

Michael kicked the door in and saw Nikita's fingers touching the joint. He had run ahead of Walter and slapped it away.

"Nikita! NO!" Michael stated firmly and then looked at her as she rolled off of the couch, hunched over in pain.

"The bunnies..." Nikita cried out and Michael looked at her. "They are burning...." Nikita cried and Michael felt his heart explode in pain. Michael did not want this to happen.

"I am just like you... killing children..." Nikita moaned out and Michael closed his eyes and stroked her cheek.

"You are going to be fine... everything is going to be fine...." Michael softly said and Nikita shook her head.

"I'm worse." Nikita whispered out and Michael kissed her forehead. "I killed ours." Nikita whispered and Michael watched as her eyes closed.

Walter turned the corner and looked at Michael. "She needs attention, Michael." Walter said as he rushed to her side and Michael to Walter and shook. There was no good way to handle this. Section One was out of question, as the baby would get her cancelled and the drugs would get Walter cancelled, and hospitals weren't a good option.

"Where?" Michael questioned out and he suddenly wished he had contacted Gwen.

======================

Part 11 by Aly

She watched from the shadows of the alley across the street. The light had come on in the blonde woman's apartment and she could see shadowy figures moving about.

She checked to be sure no one could see her and she slipped across the street covertly and into the door of the building.

~~<>~~<>~~<>~~

Michael waited until he felt Nikita was resting a bit before he left her with Walter and went in search of some medical assistance. He needed to know for sure if Nikita were still pregnant, or if she had somehow lost the baby during this frightful day. He knew that stress and anxiety were not good for someone in normal circumstances, but the extreme conditions that Nikita had been forced to face lately had definitely made their mark.

He turned to look into the apartment one more time before pulling the door shut behind him. Walter was hunkered down on the sofa sheepishly, keeping watch over Nikita for him while he would be away. With a curt nod to the older man, he pulled the door closed behind him.

He pulled his gloves on as he strode briskly down the hallway. To the casual observer, he merely looked like a man out for some coffee or some such nonsense. But, to a well-trained eye he looked like a man preparing for battle.

~~<>~~<>~~<>~~

She moved with the light footstep of a wraith and the grace of a jungle cat. She was one with the shadows of the night. She was not noticed until she was ready to be noticed.

Moving stealthily up the staircase, she had almost gained the landing to the floor she wanted when she heard... something. She froze instantly. Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind and a her mouth was covered before she could even suck her breath in. She struggled in vain against the strength of her assailant as his grip around her tightened. Finally, she let herself go limp... and waited.

Michael felt her struggles cease but he was not fooled by her ploy. He kept his grip firm about her and turned her around ever so slowly. As soon as his eyes met hers he knew instantly who it was that he held in his arms. He could see the shocked comprehension in her eyes as well as recognition dawned within them.

"Gwen" He said, removing his hand from her mouth.

She was speechless, but only for a moment. She saw the action as if in slow motion as her hand lashed across his cheek and the red imprint of her hand was left glaring at her from his face. He didn't even flinch.

"I see you remember me after all." Michael said as he tightened his grip on her other arm. With a quick look down the corridor, he pulled her back with him in the direction of Nikita's apartment.

As the two entered the apartment, Walter rose instantly as he realized who was with Michael.

"Gwendolyn?!? Is it... could it... it can't be... can it...?" He approached her slowly and reached out a tentative hand to her face.

She smiled as she felt the warmth of his hand on her cheek. "Yes, it can and it is. It's me. I'm back." She turned her face into his hand and placed a chaste kiss there.

Stepping back, she turned towards Michael and her eyes were instantly as cold as steel. "So, Michael." She practically spat the words at him. "I have both of you, so where is my brother? You know, my twin?"

Walter looked at Michael as the shock of the words sunk in."Twin...?"

Michael looked at Gwen as if he could strangle her on the spot. This was not what he needed right now... in the middle of this mess with Nikita and the baby and the drugs. With his blank stare locked in place, he nodded and turned to Walter.

"Yes. She has a twin. Birkoff."