Part 20 by Sherry

Nikita walked into the den and saw Walter sitting alone staring out the window. He was deep in thought and didn't hear her enter.

"Hey Walter," Nikita called out quietly and then planted herself on the floor at his feet. "What you thinking about?"

Walter smiled. "Hey Sugar. As if you didn't know what I'm thinking about. Janet ... my daughter ... Section. Sugar, do you really think they'd let me go with my girls? Granted, Janet knows that I work with the government and she knows about Madeline and George ..."

"WHAT? Walter, what are you talking about? How does she know all this stuff? Please tell me you didn't tell her," Nikita pleaded with him. Walter sighed.

"No Sugar, I didn't tell her anything. Madeline and George accompanied me here. We came straight here while you got Michael out of Section. Janet knew who they were when we arrived. Apparently she's known about me all along. I never knew. Can you believe it? All this time ... Janet knew about me and Section. I mean, we have a daughter together. Why couldn't somebody have told me? Why?"

Nikita stared out the window for a few seconds and then answered. "You know why, Walter. You know the drill. 'We're ghosts to the real world.' We aren't allowed involvements with people on the outside. Your daughter would have been in danger, if not from terrorists, from Operations. And he wouldn't stand for Janet knowing about you and Section either. He would have tried to cancel both of you."

Walter looked out the window as well. "You know Sugar, I can understand why I got stuck in a place like this. But you ... it's just not right. You told me once you never killed the cop that got you in here and I believe you. You shouldn't be here ... you shouldn't have to endure this kind of cruel and unusual punishment. This isn't a life for someone like you."

Nikita smiled. "Listen Walter. If I had never been recruited, I'd have never met you. And just think how deprived my life would have been then."

Walter laughed. "Yeah, just think." Then he sobered up. "And you would have never met Michael. I know I've been hard on him at times, but he is a good man, Nikita. And I'm sorry for what Section has put the two of you through. But I will say this. I've known Michael a lot longer than you. I've seen what he's been through. You've seen a lot of it yourself. But there's one thing I know for sure. He loves you. And I hope you two can find a way to make it work. You deserve it."

Nikita jumped up and kissed Walter on the cheek. "Thanks, Walter. I know he does. But whether we'll ever be able to make it work remains to be seen."

Walter shook his head and then said "Speaking of Michael, why don't you go find him. Stop wasting your time with an old goat like me. You two need to spend some quality time alone. Just make sure Jennifer doesn't catch you."

With that Nikita waved and Walter and headed out to find Michael.

~~~~~~~~~~

Michael couldn't believe that Janet knew practically as much as he did. She knew about Section, she knew George and Madeline. She knew that he and Nikita weren't Walter's children. This mission had gone downhill from the start. He needed to get in touch with Madeline and find out what was up and where they should go from here. He knew the objective was still to stop the wedding, but were the details any different? Were they still to kill the groom and his father?

He turned to Janet. "Please, you cannot tell your daughter about us. She must not find out what is going on. It could mean her life."

Janet turned pale at Michael's words. "Surely Walter wouldn't have his own daughter killed. And George wouldn't allow his goddaughter to die."

Michael, shocked once again, showed no evidence of it, however. "No, they wouldn't. But the leader of our agency wouldn't be above it if it achieved his ends. He doesn't always play by the same rules as the rest of us."

Janet shook her head and sighed. "Don't worry Michael. Jennifer will not find out anything from me."

Just then another person walked up behind him. Michael knew who it was before he turned around. He would know her anywhere. Janet looked up and said "Hello, Nikita."

"Hello Janet. I'm sorry to interrupt, but do you mind if Michael and I have some privacy?"

Janet smiled. She looked from one to the other. "Brother and sister ... right!" Then she laughed. "I have to find Walter anyway. Just don't get caught, okay?"

Nikita smiled. "We won't. Thank you." Nikita watched Janet walk back into the house and then turned to Michael. "Michael, can we go for a walk?"

Michael stood up, took her hand and said, "Of course."

~~~~~~

Operations was reaching the end of his rope. He didn't like being countermanded, even if it was from Oversight. And he definitely didn't like being kept in the dark about a mission involving his people.

"Birkoff!"

Birkoff sighed. Why couldn't he have gone along with everyone else? "Yes, sir."

"Get me Michael immediately. I don't care what George says. I want an update and I want one now. And if you won't do it, I'll find someone who will!"

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

Part 21 by Aries

Madeline looked at George a sudden thought entering her mind. "Shouldn't you contact Michael, Walter and Nikita and let them know that you have assumed control of this mission so that they don't leak out information about it to Operations?" She asked him.

George looked at Madeline surprised but did as she asked. He knew she was right. It was only a matter of time before Operations would think to contact Michael for an update. He had to make sure that Michael did not give him one. He dialed Michael's cell phone number and waited for an answer.

***

Michael and Nikita went for a walk. Nikita had reached over and taken ahold of Michael's hand. She saw no reason why they shouldn't considering Janet knew the truth.

They hadn't said much when Michael's cell phone began to ring. He took his hand back from Nikita and pulled the small black phone out and opened it. Holding it up to his ear he said, "Yes?"

"Michael, this is George." George replied across the line.

"Yes?" Michael replied acknowledging the caller.

"There has been a change. You, Walter and Nikita are to report to me and Madeline only about this mission. Should Operations contact you for an update, give him no information and contact me immediately." George informed Michael quickly. Michael thought it was strange but did not let on.

"Yes sir." Michael replied. "Is there anything else?"

"No." George replied.

"Fine." Michael said and closed the cell phone. He turned to Nikita and relayed the change. He had to get to Walter and let him know as well because Operations wouldn't stop until he'd contacted each of them and got the same reply. Nikita looked at Michael funny when he told her George's orders.

"Why has he done that?" Nikita asked.

"I don't know." Michael responded while dialing Walter's cell phone number to update Walter as well.

"Has he ever done this before?" Nikita asked persistently.

"Once..." Michael didn't finish, he just turned and began to walk away with the cell phone up to his ear relaying the updates to Walter. Nikita wouldn't let it go though.

Michael closed his cell phone and put it back into his jacket pocket and turned back to Nikita. "Let's get back. We still have work to do." Michael responded in his usually cold way.

"When did George take control of a mission before Michael?" Nikita asked stubbornly. She certainly wasn't going to let this go.

"It's a long story Nikita and we don't have time for it." Michael responded irritated.

"I'm not going any further with this mission until you tell me!" Nikita demanded and stopped dead in her tracks. Michael sensed that she stopped and turned to face her.

"Alright. If you really want to know..." Michael began.

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

Part 22 by A

Walter's face changed from pale to ashen hearing the orders that Michael had relayed from George. He remembered the last time that had happened and he remembered the repercussions it took on Michael upon his return. Walter was not as young as he used to be and did not know if he could handle that. Not after all that had happened. George had helped Michael and Simone when they were in a similar situation, and it ended up getting Simone taken in a fit of rage by Operations. Walter would not let that happen to Janet and Jennifer. Walter turned to find Janet beside him.

She put a hand on his shoulder recapturing the Walter she knew by staring meaningfully into his eyes. She remembered the walks on the beach, the quiet nights at home, and tried desperately to push all the bad memories away for now. Walter's death, his absense throughout his daughter's life, having to explain to her daughter all the horrific things that come with the death of a young one.

Walter was now feeling the full effect of this lengthy embrace of their eyes. He moved closer brushing the hair from her face lovingly and embraced her fully, arms, eyes, heart and soul. Walter held her there trying to capture the same glimpse of the good times that right now he so desperately needed, only to be stopped by the sound of the door behind him opening.

"Jennifer?" Walter said quizzically taking in the breathtaking sight of his daughter. He moved away from Janet who willingly allowed the two to examine each other. Her heart was full and her family was now whole. Yet something tugged at her heart.