~Downtime~

Michael was out in the garden shirtless working with Nikita. Her love of gardening was something to be desired. She had somehow gotten him to commit his day of downtime to working with her in the garden. She looked over at him smiling obviously happy just to have him around and he just couldn't resist smiling at her. He really didn't see what was so great about gardening. It was dirty, made you sweaty, and was a lot of hard work. He would know! He'd had this SHOVEL in his hand all day.

Nikita looked at them slyly before secretly smiling to herself. "Come on Ladies come over to the table underneath the TREE and have a drink" Nikita offered.

Michael put the shovel down as well and clambered over to the table where he wrapped his sweaty limbs around Nikita to plop a kiss on her neck.

"Ewwww.. Michael. You're all sweaty!" Nikita complained.

Michael just chuckled as Nikita handed him a glass of wine. "So I hear you ladies have a new nickname" Nikita said. "The TWISTED mom's isn't it?" as she laughed.

Rita and Sherry looked at each other. "Now just where do they get that we're twisted Sherry?" Rita asked. "I just don't get it!"

Sherry nodded back, "Me either. We're always to busy to be twisted" she agreed.

Nikita looked at both girls and burst out laughing at the scene. 'These two always thought they were the perfect operatives with the golden halos. Nothing could be further from the truth' she thought.

"Now what brought you ladies by?" Nikita asked.

"Um...just thought we'd drop by and say hi?" Rita asked.

Nikita smiled slyly. "I don't think so Rita. You and sherry do nothing without a purpose and it usually seems to have something to do with Spyboy here" Nikita snickered.

Sherry looked at Rita. "She knows us way too well. We've gotta quit being quite so predictable"

Rita laughed, "definitely"

"Well ladies Michael and I are going for a walk but do finish up your wine and we will see you later" Nikita smiled as she pulled Michael up as their hands entwined.

"Mmm. it's so beautiful here" Nikita murmured. All around them there were wildflowers displayed against the straw colored fields. They finally came to a BRIDGE and both operatives stopped to gaze at the beauty around them. There was a quiet stream running under the bridge making the scenery even more spectacular.

"Mmm...I love it here" Nikita said as she laid her head against Michael's chest.

"Oui ma petite. It is beautiful" Michael sighed as he entwined his fingers into her hair. He slowly brought her sweet lips to his savoring the taste that was purely Nikita.

"Thank you" Nikita whispered moments later.

"For what?" Michael asked.

"For being you. For changing for me. You've not BETRAYED me in many months and that deserves a reward" Nikita smiled.

"Oh really?" Michael asked playing along with her.

"Uh huh" Nikita said slightly breathless now and she leaned up to capture his lips once again in a passionate and endearing soul searching kiss.

They were interrupted by a snicker and a small rustling in the bushes. Michael smiled slightly, "We're being watched" he whispered seductively into Nikita's ear.

Nikita giggled, "I know. They've been following us since we left. I felt them way back there. You must be slipping Michael" Nikita laughed.

"Oh slipping am I now?" he asked as he started tickling her and both operatives entwined their hands once again and ran back to the garden laughing and playing with each other.

"I love you Michael." Nikita whispered as she stood within the circle of Michael's arms under the tree.

"And I you Cherie" Michael whispered pecking her lips again.

Sherry and Rita looked at each other worried now. "We're losing him!" Rita hissed. "What are we going to do?"

Sherry just shook her head, "We'll think of something," she just said as both girls snuck around to the front of the house finally leaving.