Anthony & Nikita Chapter 1: Tears, a psy-changelings series fanfic

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own any of these characters. All these belong to Nalini Singh, writer of the Psy-Changeling series.

Note: I could not get this story out of my mind. So, I'm trying it out. This chapter is sort of a "pilot." I'm not sure if this is something I should continue working on. I would love some feedback. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chap. 1 -Danger

Nikita Duncan

Nikita examined the droplet of liquid on her hand and acknowledged its origin. She couldn't afford to break so suddenly. After the fall of silence, it was only expected her silence would shatter under pressure and the emotions traveling around through the net.

She touched her cheek, and wiped away tears from her eyes. It was a sign that her mind was deteriorating, slowly rotting. The former councilor wouldn't admit it, but she was afraid that she would crumble under the pressure. She understood, her mind could become a dangerous weapon. An infection so damaging that it could kill many people. She could end up killing her granddaughter.

The councilor stood and walked around the house. She had arranged her home office to model workspace. There was a bookshelf on the right side of the entrance, a beautiful mahogany shelf full of business related books. There was a small, thin book hidden among the heavy volumes. She took her eyes away and concentrated on collecting her thoughts.

She felt a familiar tuck. A mind not yet developed, but curious. Nikita suspected that her failing silence was the cause of these occurrences. If her daughter knew about this connection, she would probably cut it off, demand that she kept her distance. This she knew was the right action to take, to set the distance. But part of her mind –perhaps her broken silence -didn't want to accept it.

She greeted the curious mind. Commanding her body to relax, Nikita made her way to the kitchen to get something to drink. The curious mind sparked with happiness. Tears leaked from Nikita's eyes without her having any awareness of it.

Anthony Kyriakus

"Faith," he said before taking a step to go. He had contemplated the words for a while now. Before the fall of silence, he couldn't think the words without betraying his condition. It was now that he realized the words were more difficult to say than he thought. He braced himself.

"I'm proud of you."

Faith looked startled, her eyes turning deep obsidian. Soon, her hands were around his neck. He held her this time, his own hands coming around to pat her back. She reached up and kissed his cheek. He had done the right thing.

Vaughn extended his arm and they shook hands, a silent understanding passing between the two men.

"I should go," he said. "I have a meeting with Nikita."

"I feel sorry for you," Vaughn chuckled. Anthony didn't react at the comment. He understood Vaughn's feelings towards the councilor. Nikita archived her power with stealth and fearlessness, sometimes cruelty. Nikita Duncan was deep in silence. Perhaps, so deep in silence that there is no hope for her to fully assimilate to the new standard lifestyle of the net.

However, after allying with her, Anthony thought he had seen something through the uneasy alliance, something she didn't want anyone else to see. It was a spark of something, a secret that made all of Nikita's life a different story.

After saying his goodbyes, Anthony arrived at Nikita's just as her secretary left the building. He took the elevator to the penthouse and knocked on her door. She didn't respond. He knocked again. Two minutes had passed, and she did not answer.

He was about to turn and leave when the door opened. Nikita stood there, in ragged clothing, her hair messy, and tracks of mascara on her cheeks.

"Nikita?"

"Please come in Anthony," she said. "I'll explain."

It was his first time in her house and so-called home. Although, he doubted that she ever saw it that way. It was just a room for her. He glanced at her, his eyes studying the stage of her clothes, her make up.

"Were you crying?" The idea seemed unlikely. Nikita? Crying? Impossible. Nikita silence was deep, incredibly impregnable.

"I believe my mind is about to shatter," she confessed. "This could be quite dangerous."

She offered for him a seat on a large sofa in the middle of her living room. They sat next to each other. The woman in front of him was a stranger to him. She looked softer. This was not the hard-hearted Nikita. Duncan he always expected to meet.

"A virus?"

"Not exactly," she said, pulling herself together enough to wipe the dark tracks on her face with a napkin. It didn't surprise him that even with tears in her eyes, Nikita's conditioning seemed… perfect. The way she moved her body, her blank expression, the way she looked at him. It was a little creepy. However, there were slight hints, things he never seen her do that now betrayed her mental status.

"It's the fall of silence," she continued. "The voices in my head, I can't control them anymore. There is so much happening, a non-stopping buzz. It has become difficult to rest. I haven't slept in days."

"How is this possible?" He asked because he knew enough about Nikita's power to understand that she was always in control of her abilities. "Nikita?"

"There's a part to my abilities that stayed dormant while in silence." She shifted slightly, her eyes looking everywhere but him. He understood it then, clear as day. Whatever her secondary ability was, it was accelerating, if not causing, Nikita's break of silence.

"Nikita, your silence was impeccable. Did you always hear the voices?

"Whispers," she responded. "Not as loud. I could control my abilities as long as the net stayed silent. Human minds are harder to keep out. This is different. Something is eating at my shields."

"You are telling me this because you need my assistance." Anthony's psy facilities are top-notch, the best medical team among psy. It was the sanctuary to many F-psy in the net. The NightStar organization had a long history of dealing of issues of the mind. There was a high rate of insanity among the F-psy. In the last years after Faith's defection, Anthony made sure to take actions to decrease those numbers.

"You also understand the need for privacy." Nikita glanced away as a new tear rolled down her cheek. She clenched her fists on her lap. It was obvious she was angry, and attempting to strangle this new feeling.

He didn't mention it, but he knew enough about telepathy to know she was hiding something. Marine didn't just hear voices. She knew nightmares. If Nikita's silence was fragile, she might see more than she let on. Anthony didn't tell her any of his thoughts. He was going to wait and see how long it would take for her to tell him.

"I'll arrange for my brother to examine you himself. Tomorrow, meet us at the usual place." She nodded. "The house is already equipped with the necessary medical tools.

"Thank you." Nikita stood and followed him to the door. As she closed the door, Anthony felt a strange feeling relationship to the fellow ex-councilor. It was a concern. He worried about Nikita Duncan.