It was past 8 p.m. when Nikita decided she'd had enough of work and prepared to go home. Her best friend Carla had called earlier to ask if she wanted to join her and some friends for dinner and dancing, but Nikita declined. "It's been a long week. I think I'll just spend a quiet evening at home and turn in early."

"We never see you anymore," Carla complained. "I used to think it was that boyfriend of yours but now I know the truth, its work you're addicted to!"

"Well you don't have to worry about the boyfriend part," Nikita said with a frown. "Stephen and I have decided to call it quits."

This was met with a sharp intake of breath. "Oh my god, really! When?" Carla was shocked and couldn't believe Nikita had finally broken it off. Stephen was the longest relationship Nikita had ever been in.

"Don't sound so surprised. You knew it wasn't working out well."

"Yeah, but I didn't ever think you two would ever admit it."

"I know," Nikita sighed. She felt a twinge of guilt as she recalled Stephen's reaction. He'd been hurt by her decision. "But there you have it. Stephen and I are officially no longer an item. Hallelujah."

"Is Stephen as overjoyed as you are?"

Nikita grimaced. "I'm not overjoyed, Carla. Relieved maybe, but not overjoyed." She explained briefly how Stephen had reacted and how she felt bad that things hadn't worked out. "I should have ended it sooner and not kept him hanging on for so long. I hope he finds someone deserving of him and that they fall in love and live happily ever after."

"Just so long as it isn't you, right?" Carla teased.

"Carla, you're not making me feel any better. Despite what it may seem I don't enjoy hurting Stephen. And I truly do want him to find someone who he'll be happy with."

"Alright, alright. I apologize. But don't feel bad, Nik. You did the right thing. And you're right, maybe now he'll find someone that's right for him. And you'll find someone that's right for you."

Nikita smiled and shook her head. "No thank you. I'm going to enjoy the single life for a while longer if you don't mind."

Later as she gathered her things to leave her gaze wandered over to the flowers Michael Samuelle had sent. Leaning over she plucked a dying rose from the bouquet and inhaled. Beautiful. It was nice of him to send them, and she tried to recall if she had instructed Rose to send him a thank you note. Even if she hadn'tNikita was certainher ever efficient secretary would have done so already. He really was quite a good looking guy she mused. And she wondered suddenly if Michael Samuelle was as nice a person as she hoped him to be.

Nikita shook her head then andlaughed quietly at her thoughts.Here she was just finished breaking off with one relationship that had been a disaster, mainly because she hadn't been able to commit herself to it as much as Stephen had wanted her to, and she was already fantasizing about another man. And a client to boot!

"Get a grip, girl" she said aloud, and picked up her briefcase and purse before heading out the door.