"Truth, bitter Truth."

She dialed the number with trembling fingers. Long waiting signal gave her glimpse of hope he won't pick up. Small part of her didn't want to have that conversation.

"Yeah?"

Nikita's heart stuttered in her chest, lips pulled up in a smile hearing his deep, masculine voice. "I'm on my way, heading to the highway exit." She said.

"Good, I'm waiting there, on a parking lot. See you in five. "

Nikita felt panic hearing he wants to end their conversation. It's too soon. There were still things that needed to be said.

"Michael? "

"Yes?"

"I was thinking about our wedding….." She stalled for a moment trying to find proper words. She was picking them carefully, trying to swallow the lump that was rising in her throat. " What would you say on Eagle's Landing playing for us?"

Nikita could hear Michael's surprise. He cleared his throat and said: "Am….well I thought you prefer more classical pieces but...whatever you wish."

Nikita bit her lip to hold back the emotion. Clenching her fingers on a steering wheel she was praying that he will remember her exact words and when time comes, he will understand what really had happened.

He sensed her anxiety perfectly. Keeping a secret from Michael was never easy. " Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"No. " she said swallowing tears. "I'm going off the highway right now, see you in a bit."

Weeks later when Michael was recalling that conversation over and over again, he was certain that there was something in her voice. Warning against the tragedy that was in the air. But back then he failed to notice it and he simply pressed the red button ending their last conversation ever.

"Are you sure it was her?" Birkoff was drumming his fingers on the table. His gaze drifted from one friend to another stopping at Michael. He seemed to be somewhere else with his mind, staring blankly ahead.

Computer Tech sighed, turning his gaze to the couple sitting on the stairs. Sean playing with Alex's fingers while she was trying to hold back the tears.

They had been there as well. Arrived only couple of minutes after Nikita's alleged appearance. Alleged, because there was absolutely no prove that she had been there except of pale and shattered Michael.

When Birkoff was certain, he won't get any answer, he heard Michael's firm voice.

"Positive." His eyes didn't waver from the glass in the distance.

Birkoff sighed and automatically glanced at the screen. "I still have nothing. No facial recognition, none of her aliases popped out during last 5 months." He paused before the hardest part. " There is no physical evidence that she was in the alley that night."

Michael's head snapped up and he gave Birkoff murderous look.

"Even it was really her…" Computer Tech was selecting his words carefully. "If she doesn't want to be found… I'm afraid there isn't much that we can do."

"Keep looking. We know her habits, we know how she operates, something will pop out eventually."

Michael's voice was drained from emotion but his eyes full of pain. Old wounds were open again.

"And when it does?" Birkoff eyed his friend with concerned glare." What will you do then?"

"I will ask her why did she leave like that."

"Have you considered that answer might be worse than your imagination?"

Michael's voice trembled, his face twitched into a wince. "It can't be."

Alex gasped seeing his expression, so familiar to what they had seen months before.

They were air for each other. With Nikita gone Michael had become a ghost of a man, withdrawn and silent. Horribly emotionless.

She was gone. Just like everyone he ever loved. Died in front of his eyes, same way his family did, years ago. Things like that change a man forever.

And then, nearly 5 months later she surfaces again? That sounded like one of Amanda's tricks to mess with their heads. Alex had tried to point that mildly to Michael but he was adamant. " I know what I saw" he had been answering every time, deaf to all their arguments. Irritated by their concern and once again close to the edge he has been when she had died.

"Michael… "Alex stood up and approached him. " I'm sure there is an explanation. " She gently placed her hand on Michael's shoulder. "Nikita we know,-"

"That's the point Alex" Michael turned his head to meet her eyes. His body still rigid, grimace of pain flickering across his face. "What if we don't know her anymore?"

"What's on your mind?"

Sean sat on the edge of the bed, watching Alex lost in thoughts, rubbing cream in her hands.

She jerked surprised hearing his voice. She looked at him with pensive glare and ghost of a smile came across her face.

Sean stayed silent waiting for an answer. He knew it's never easy with Alex. She had rarely shared her feeling with him. Her walls were not easy to break, but with some patience and right attitude, he felt they are making a progress. He never knew if she answers or just ignores his questions. He had learnt not to push her. He just wanted her to know he is there for her.

" Have you considered the possibility that it was really her?" she answered with a question.

Sean rubbed the back of his neck. He had considered it but it just didn't make sense. "I think we should move on. Michael should move on. Now he is just clutching at straws, willing to believe in anything just not the fact that she is gone."

Alex raised an eyebrow in response. "That's very gentle way to say, he is going crazy."

Sean's features were serious. " According to everything he had been through, I'm surprised he didn't already."

Alex sighed closing the cream jar and she put it on the night stand. She flicked her long hair back.

"But I wouldn't worry about him." Sean continued. " He is stronger than any of us." He closed in to Alex and put his hand on hers in his well-known protective style. Alex smiled vaguely nodding, trying to convince herself that everything will end well. She pursed her lips as her gaze drifted to the window. There was still so much she wasn't ready to share with him. She knew the only way to reduce this distance between them is to come clean, reveal all of the secrets. But what if the secrets are not only hers?

" I need to go for a run to clear my head." She freed her hand from Sean's grip and stood up.

"Ok, I will wait in bed."

Alex felt tingling in her stomach seeing his warm smile. He was a perfect relief for her damaged soul. Always dependable and caring.

She put on her jogging clothes and tied her hair up in a bun. Once outside she felt familiar scent of a humid and heavy air which was a sign of coming storm.

Alex heard distant thunders, cold wind was blowing through her hair as she was jogging to the park. She was following her usual route, keeping a steady pace until she had to stop to catch a breath.

She bowed down, resting hands on her knees, inhaling the cold air.

She noticed a shadow next to her but didn't need to raise her head to know who that person is.

"What happened?" She heard a voice.

"You tell me. Michael saw you in the alley. What the hell were you doing there?"

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