Part 17 by Marie

Walter was interrupted as he saw Gwen. "What are you doing here?" He asked the girl as she snaked around the corner in her panther like way.

Gwen smiled at him sweetly and then at Birkoff. "Hello Big Brother." She told him and returned her eyes to Walter. "Don't worry about Madeline or Operations, they are under control." She told both of them in a half warning and in a flash she disappeared into the darkness.

"How long have you known Birkoff?" Walter asked the younger man.

"About Gwen still being alive, I knew she was never dead Walter. Family looks out for Family." Birkoff told him. "Gwen's marked her prey Walter, you know that. It is best not to intervene." Birkoff told him automatically and disappeared just as his sister had, right before Walter's eyes.

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Birkoff felt the swift darkness around him and he embraced it as he and Gwen had been taught so many years ago. It was his twin that had become the field op and not him. He had never been one for guns or major violence. It rolled of his sister's back like water. The next thing he had to do was find Gwen before she did anything to offset George's plans.

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Gwen smiled to herself and she turned the wheel of her 4-wheel drive jeep. She turned down the driveway of the large house and parked the jeep in the drive. As she walked in the door something felt strange. She quickened her step and left the foyer and entered the living room.

"Well this is a nice surprise Madeline. What are you doing here." Gwen told her sweetly.

"The pleasure is all mine Gwendolyn, I assure you. It was quite a shock to discover you alive my dear." Madeline told her.

"I bet it was seeing as you had me almost killed and you killed Aunt Adrian." Gwen spat out.

"Quite the contrary my dear Gwen." The elderly English accented voice said as the blue eyed woman appeared.

"Aunt Adrian." Gwen cried out and rushed to hug the woman.

"My dear Gwen, what trouble have you caused in my absence." Adrian said smoothing the young woman's hair.

"You are dead." Gwen told her pulling away.

"And so were you dear. Death is a thing easily twisted and faked, you know this." Adrian told her softly.

"Why?" Gwen asked turning to Madeline.

"You said it yourself once Gwen, Blood ties are stronger than Section, even I see that know." Madeline told her.

"How do I know this isn't some sick and demented joke on your part Madeline?" Gwen shot back with vehemence and anger.

"Because my darling Granddaughter, Madeline is under my payroll." George said appearing.

Gwen stared at her grandfather as he walked through the doorway and noticed Nikita and Michael behind them.

"I should have known as much." She shot back at him with anger.

"Now that we are all here let's get down to business. I called Birkoff and he is well on his way." George stated and smiled. "I'll bring you up to speed and then we will begin." George said and smiled.

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Operations waited impatiently. George had told him to be here at this moment. "Hello Paul." A young voice said pleasantly and Operations turned around to meet the eyes of a ghost. The eyes of the once dead, The eyes of...

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Part18 by N507

"MOWEN!" Operations howled and the young operative, that was suppose to be dead smiled at Operations.

"Hello Operations." Mowen said and Operations shook his head.

"You are dead." Operations said and Mowen smiled.

"You'll be glad I'm alive. I know where all your supposed dead operatives are. You know, Michael, Nikita... Adrian... they are all with George.. And Madeline.. And Gwen.. And Birkoff." Mowen said and Operations leaned back and processed the information.

******

George started to pace the room as he planned on his revenge. Birkoff entered and stared at the group and sighed in relief when he saw Michael and Nikita, both alive and breathing, but something seemed wrong.

"Nikita..." Birkoff said and Nikita looked at Michael and screamed as she collapsed forward. Gwen bent down with Michael as Nikita rolled in pain.

"Get away.. Michael... please. It's all my fault..." Nikita cried out as she felt the searing pain. Madeline moved down to Nikita's head and looked at the young girl as Gwen stood up.

"Are you going to tell Michael the truth?" Gwen challenged and Michael looked at the moaning Nikita and then to George.

"I don't know what you are talking about." George said and Gwen nodded her head.

"How you told Nikita that Walter wouldn't bring real drugs.. and how it would be apple juice... and how the pain medication wouldn't be pain medication... how you used Nikita's pregnancy to set up Operations and kill Nikita's child at the same time?" Gwen challenged as Nikita continued to scream.

Madeline and Adrian stared at George and Madeline stood up.

"I'm losing it... it hurts..." Nikita cried out as Michael looked at Madeline and tensed his jaw.

"I punched her in the kidneys too." Michael whispered and Madeline looked at George and moved to him.

"We are all going into Section One, now. We are going to talk to Operations, and we are going to let the doctor's work on Nikita, and I hope for your sake George, find that she can stay pregnant and not hurt the child. You are going to be held responsible for this and me and Adrian are going to take over everything, and you and Paul can become the grunts." Madeline said and George dropped his head and looked at Madeline. He nodded his head and looked as they tended to Nikita.

"OH GOD NO!" Nikita screamed as they started to move her. She looked at Michael ."Don't blame anyone but me, Michael... I took the drugs... I knew.. I shouldn't be a mother... I shouldn't... I shouldn't..." Nikita moaned out and then dropped her head back.

*****

"An interesting tale, Mowen. Why would I believe you?" Operations asked and Mowen handed the test to Operations.

"That's Nikita's pregnancy test, and Walter knew." Mowen said and Operations stared down to Walter. Operations pulled a gun out and started down toward the man.

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Part 19 by Aly

Michael rode with Nikita in the van back to Section. She was so pale. He reached over and ran his finger lightly across her eyebrow as he thought back to the times they had had. The way Nikita smiled in the restaurant that very first night out. She had held his heart since that time.

He hated all the things that the Section forced him to do to her... with her... against her. He looked out of the small window at the side of the van and saw the pinking of the sunrise on the horizon.

Moving his eyes back to Nikita he noticed her watching him. He smiled at her and moved closer. She didn't smile back. He became instantly alert and noticed that her shallow breathing had slowed dangerously and her pupils were unresponsive.

"NIKITA!!!' He shook her and tried to get a response out of her. She was limp in his arms. Her hand fell against his thigh as if she were a rag doll.

"NIKITA!! NO!!!!" His screams rocked the van as it approached the docking area at Section One. The doors of the bay slid open. Two figures could be seen there.

Operations and Mowen. Mowen checked his weapon and turned off the safety. Operations simply smoked his thin cheroot... and waited.

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Part 20 by Lauren

Michael was on the floor next to Nikita. "Where is medic? She needs help!" Michael said with his eyes glued to the very sick Nikita. He looked up half expecting med. to already be there instead finding a very cold looking Operation. He smiled at Michael, then the smile disappeared.

"Up!" Operations commanded. Michael started to rise. "Pick her up," He said to Mowen. Mowen moved towards Nikita but Michael moved himself protectively in front of her.

"No." Michael said. Operations cocked his head to the side, looking at the scene. "Fine," Ops said. "Pick her up Michael, and come with me." He finished. "Oh, and don't try anything, you'll never make it out of here." He laughed out, as Mowen stood back and raised his gun. Michael looked at him and then reached down and picked up the limp body of Nikita. He looked back at Operations and over to Mowen.

"She needs a doctor," Michael said, "She's not going to make it." "Oh well, that will be such a shame," Operations said with a hint of sarcasm.

"If she dies, you will die." Michael answered.

"I don't take well to threats Michael." Operations said giving Michael dirty look. Operations turned and started out to where ever it was that they were going... Mowen took his place behind Michael and motioned him forward with his gun. Michael started walking and Operations led them in the foyer under the Observation deck.

He stopped and pointed at the floor in the middle of the room, "Put her here." He said. Michael gave him a look and then gently placed Nikita down.

"I don't know what game you're trying to play here." Michael said to Operations.

"Maybe I should say the same thing to you Michael." Operations answered back.

"George is not going to stand for this." Michael countered. "I want to take Nikita to medlab," Michael continued.

"You will do what I tell you when I tell you how I tell you as always." Operations told him. Michael was trying to control his anger, he only hoped that the George and the rest showed up soon, Nikita was in terrible shape.

'What was Operations doing?' Michael thought. He only thought the worst. The scene was memorable, the sick Nikita lay sprawled out in the middle of the floor with Michael looming above her being held at gun point while operations calmly smoked his cigar. Ops motioned for Mowen to give him his gun, and Mowen handed it over. Operatives that had been around had focused their attention on the odd scene going on.

Operations planned to take advantage of that. He looked out to them, "Do you see?" He began, "What happens to those who are disloyal..." He questioned. "I will not stand for anyone crossing Section One, or me! If you do you will pay!" Operations finished and he pointed it at Nikita helpless unconscious Nikita.

"Are you mad?" Michael yelled.

"You don't cross Section, or me Michael." His finger started to squeeze the trigger...

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Part 21 by Jade

Operations aimed the gun directly at Michael. Suddenly with a cry, he swung the gun in the other direction, shooting Mowen dead. "You should have stayed dead, Mowen," he clipped out shortly. "I never liked you."

By the time he moved back towards Michael, Michael had disappeared. "Where is he? Find him!" He screamed at the operatives gathered around him, wondering why they didn't move. Then he began to sweat. They were moving closer and closer. They were encircling him, their guns drawn as one on Operations.

Michael bolted through the door to Medlab and shouted for a code team. "I need help for Nikita! Now!!!" People flew out of the woodwork, pushing the crash cart past Michael's anguished face. He stared after them for long seconds, out of breath from his race up two levels of stairs. Please be okay, he prayed, please don't take her away from me now. He wasn't sure if he was praying to God or himself, but either way, it hardly mattered now. She was almost out of time.

A moment later, he had found a safe vantagepoint where he could watch what was going on without exposing himself to Operations again. He couldn't afford to be taken out now. He was Nikita's only chance of survival. He had to stay alive to make sure that she survived the code. But once he knew she was safe, he would be back for Operations. Operations' time had come. Finally.

Nikita began to rouse once the team managed to insert the IV in her arm. She coughed and sputtered as she began to breathe more normally again. "Michael?" she called. She needed Michael here, where was he? The team continued to work on Nikita, but the crowd of operatives parted as one to make room for Michael to come through, automatically protecting him from Operations. Operations had already been disarmed by one of the operatives, but he dreamed of canceling the fool who had the nerve to do so.

"I'm here, Nikita," he said softly, holding her hand in his. He pressed a kiss to it, feeling how cold it was. He rubbed her hand against his cheek in an unconsciously loving gesture, a fact that did not go unnoticed by anyone. One of the doctors turned to Michael and said, "She's in shock, but I think we caught her in time. If we can push enough fluids, she should be okay."

Michael leaned over and whispered, "She's pregnant. Will she lose the baby?" The doctor sighed heavily. "Odds are against it surviving this type of trauma, Michael, I'm sorry." Michael closed his eyes against the surge of pain that brought.

He didn't care who knew he cared right now, as long as Nikita survived. If their baby was the price to pay for Nikita's well being... well, it was just too tragic to think about. "Nikita, ma belle lionne, you need to be strong for me, okay?" She nodded faintly, unable to speak.

The doctor relaxed suddenly and the team stopped their ministrations.

"What? What's wrong??" Michael stared at the team in horror. The doctor smiled, patting him on the shoulder. "She's going to be okay, Michael...she's responding to treatment...and you know what? That baby is beating the odds."

Michael leaned over Nikita, kissing her as tenderly as possible. "Kita, the baby is okay." She opened her eyes and smiled sleepily up at Michael. "I love you."

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Part 22 by LFNFanatic!

Torture Chamber:(the next day)

Operations is sitting in "The Chair" and is staring up at George. "George: You know what I can do to you and what I might." Operations just sat there and stared

"But I still haven't decided what to do with you. I think the decision is not going to be mine both Nikita and Michael will decide your fate. We will see how nice they will be to you. And then you can ask them what your fate will be." George exits leaving Ops in the dark.

Maddy's Office

"I see you were watching (pause) I thought you would be" George stated to Madeline.

"You might know me too well, but yes I was. Are you really going to leave the decision up to Michael & Nikita?"

"I think so and I will wait until Nikita gets better, the doctor said it will probably be in 2 or 3 days before she is able to get out of medlab. So I will get that time to think and so will they. Plus you know they will be a little lighter on their decision than I would"

"Yes I guess you are right, but you know out of all that has happened I still care for him"

"Of course I've known. Haven't you always cared for him?"

"Yes"

Med. Lab

Nikita is on her bed and Michael is sitting in the chair beside her bed. "I can't believe George is going to let us decide Ops fate"

"Me neither"

"Have you thought about what it should be?"

"A little but i couldn't think of something truly good enough for him. He was going to let you and our baby die."

Birkoff & Walter enter

"Hey sugar how are you doing?"

"Hey Walter and Birkoff. I am doing pretty good"

"We can't stay long there is a briefing in 5 min."

"A briefing why wasn't I told?" Michael asked.

"George figured you should stay with Nikita."

"I am pleased. That was so nice of him."

Then all of the sudden they heard an explosion and someone burst into the room holding a gun. They couldn't believe it, they never thought this person would have betrayed them. As this person moved into the light they saw who it was. It was...

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Part 23 by Northstar

"Gail! What is going on here?" said Birkoff as he went to move closer to her.

"Stop. Stay where you are." she ordered. "I don't want any of your tricks. From any of you."

"Why are you doing this Gail." Birkoff asked her. He was getting a little nervous with the gun being brandished about.

"Because. I am sick and tired of all the manipulations you all pull." she pointed the gun at Birkoff and motioned for him to join the others. "Plus you guys have all the fun and I am left behind."

"Fun?" Walter said incredulously. "You think what we do is fun?"

"Well, it beats sitting behind a desk all day long."

"Little you know sugar."

"Don't sugar you me old hippie. Now, all of you are going to join me as we go make a visit to Madeline."

"That won't be necessary." Madeline said as she came into the room, closing the door behind her. She looked to Michael first to make sure that he made eye contact and gave him a signal.

"Good, the wicked bitch of the west joins us!! Welcome Maddy." Gail looked around and didn't see anyone else with Madeline. She became a bit suspicious. "What no back up Maddy?"

"I don't need backup." she replied calmly.

"Oh aren't we full of ourselves, as usual. You're good, but not that good." Gail spit out at her.

"Now," asked Madeline, "what seems to be the problem here?"

Walter finally spoke up. He was angry that Madeline had just waltzed in with no apparent backup and probably no plan. "She's gone nuts, crazy, loco, you name it. She seems to think that what we do, we do for fun and she wants part of the action."

"Now Walter, calm down. You don't want to "collapse" now do you?" Maddy tried soothing him while putting the emphasis on collapse, hoping that he would take the hint.

"Madeline!" he shouted, "I will not calm down. I am sick and tired of these youngun's coming into Section and thinking.... Arggggghhhhhhhhh" he fell to his knees clutching at his chest.