Hey everyone!

Wow, you guys. Can I just say that the reviews are just too awesome for words? I cannot express my gratitude enough. But thank you anyway! This fandom is just… wow.

I'm actually really glad that I was able to post this update before I go on a mini-vacation. It'll take some guilt off my conscience. ;)

Okay, so here's the next chapter! Woohoo! A little more Mikita sexy times ahead (because we don't have enough of it on canon)! A lil' ol' birthday gift from me to you! Haha! :}

Hope you'll all like it! Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Moments

"You guys took your sweet time." – 2x02

Amazingly enough, no one really did bother to check where they were.

Not that they would've noticed. Or cared.

Michael and Nikita were in far too deep in their own little world of flushed skin, ragged breaths, hot lips, and tangled limbs. They had submitted to the other's touch, whether gentle or rough. Affirming that overwhelming, undeniable bond of lust and love they always had as each searing kiss was embedded, as their tongues danced, as their hands caressed, as their bodies entwined.

They had lost so much. They had pushed each other to the edge. But now, here they were again. Together.

Body, heart, and soul.

It was what they would have ever wanted. Ever needed.

They just had to know that with each other, they will always have it.

That was why as they closed their eyes, succumbing to the exhaustion and fatigue, they had never felt so serene, so sated, and so peaceful.

Pure bliss.

Nikita woke up first, hours later, to the feel of bare skin, and soft, relaxed breaths grazing her neck.

She craned her head slightly to check the time on the wall clock above the door. Squinting a bit, she tried to get a read through her bleary vision. It was just a few minutes past 5 AM. She blinked, making sure she wasn't seeing things. It surprised her a bit that it was still early. Way earlier than she ever thought.

"G'morning." A low, sleepy voice breathed behind her.

Looking slightly over her shoulder, a small smile crept to Nikita's lips. She almost forgot that Michael was a light sleeper. Some slight, conscious movements were already enough to wake him up. Though from what she could also remember, he somehow always knew when she was awake, or was about to be.

Some things just never change, she guessed.

As Nikita started to turn around, Michael's arm around her waist tightened and pulled her close until her back hit his chest, stopping her from any change of position. A throaty, impish growl came from him as he buried his face in her hair.

Chuckling softly, Nikita thought that it was still so early in the morning and yet, they've already began some sort of power play.

"Well, isn't it a good morning for you," she teased. Opting to nestle deeper into Michael's arms and chest, she scooted nearer to him, pressing her body along his. He welcomed her closer contact, securing his hold around her waist. He also began to trace small, random patterns along her abdomen where his fingertips rested.

"Oh it is," he drawled. She could almost feel the indolent smile forming on his lips. He mumbled into her ear, "Sleep well?"

Yes, she wanted to say at first. This was the first time in more than a week that she was able to get some real sleep. Or, at any rate, what few hours of (surprisingly) restful shuteye she did have after a whole night and early morning of being… very busy.

If only she knew earlier that she needed to get laid to cure her insomnia…

Nikita smiled inwardly at that.

"You have no idea." She settled on saying. Laughing softly, she interlaced her hands with Michael's and brought it to her lips to kiss it.

Yawning and stretching, Nikita felt a bit stiff because of lying on the mats. Glancing down at the wool blankets that, not only covered their bare bodies, but also made up their improvised bed, she remarked lightly, "This is such a downgrade from my fabulous bed upstairs."

Michael chuckled as he kissed her hair. "We've had much worse."

"I know."

"And," he said, running his fingers along her collarbone and chest, "I don't remember you saying anything about it last night."

"I was a bit…" Trailing off, her eyes fluttered to a close. A moan almost escaped Nikita's lips but she caught herself before it did. Clamping her mouth shut, she pushed Michael's hand back to her abdomen and held it there. His touches were getting far too distracting and not-so-innocent.

His deep laugh reverberated in his chest and onto her back. He was clearly enjoying the control he had over her with his caresses. Not that she was objecting to it.

Skimming his lips over her nape, he asked, "You were a bit what?"

Lifting her head from where it was resting on Michael's other arm, Nikita gazed at him through the corner of her glinting brown eyes. Her lips curved upwards as she replied, "Preoccupied."

He smiled as he kissed her shoulder. "That's good to know."

She smirked and rolled her eyes before lying back onto his outstretched arm.

Nikita leisurely stroked Michael's arm that was on her waist. She focused and relished on how their breathings and heartbeats fell into sync at that moment. In the recent years, she had never felt so at peace with herself and her world like she was now.

Her thoughts drifted into a calm lull. After so many ups and downs that have happened, everything was finally starting to fall into their right place. Everything in her future was beginning to clear again. It's been such a long time…

Sweeping her gaze around the room, Nikita just noticed how much of a mess they've done. A couple of the training dummies were knocked down to the floor, the cabinet that held some of their emergency kits was open and missing a few stacks of blankets, clothes were scattered all over the mats, and a piece (or rather, scrap) of fabric – that suspiciously looked like her underwear before – was hanging precariously over the edge of a worktable.

Nikita had a pretty vague idea on how the things got the way they were. She really was busy last night. Mostly because she and Michael had so much time to make up for.

They probably wouldn't be able to train in this room ever again without thinking about the things that they did last night.

And oh were there a lot of things.

The smirk on Nikita's lips widened as she remembered something else. Her voice was light and a bit cheeky as she said, "Looks like we've finally done this fantasy."

Michael propped up slightly to get a better look at Nikita. A frown crossed his expression as he asked, "What fantasy?"

She looked up to him. Reaching back, she cupped his face in her hand and studied him. A mischievous gleam appeared in her eyes as she doubted, "Oh, come on, never?"

He didn't answer her. The way he looked at her was proof that he didn't know what she was talking about.

Her lips stretched into a devilish grin. She moved swiftly. Turning around in his arms, Nikita pushed Michael onto his back and climbed on top of him, entangling the blankets further around them. Before he could say anything, she silenced him with a chaste kiss on his lips.

Running her hands through his hair, Nikita leaned closer and whispered breathily into his ear, "Back in Division, when you were still my mentor…" she playfully nipped his earlobe, enjoying Michael's sharp intake of breath, "all those special sparring sessions…" she travelled down to plant kisses along his jaw, "just the two of us…" his neck, "at night…" the base of his throat, "don't tell me.." his collarbone, "you never thought…" his chest, "of doing it there…" his abdomen, "on the mat."

She felt his breath hitch.

"I didn't think about the where," Michael admitted in a rough voice. He ran his warm, calloused hands along the curve of Nikita's back before securing it around her arms and pulling her up to his level again. Her hair fell and formed a dark curtain around them. His eyes were as dark as emeralds as he gazed at her, "I just cared about the who."

Nikita's lips formed a smirk just before she shifted to kiss the spot below Michael's ear. She grazed her teeth over his skin and sucked into this.

"But I promise if you keep on doing that," he managed to choke out, almost warningly, his gravelly voice turning huskier by the second. Curling his hands against her slender neck, he breathed heavily, "and you may just see a reenactment of that fantasy of yours."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Nikita reminded him. She laughed softly as she pulled away, winking flirtily while modestly holding a piece of the blanket close to her bare chest. Scooting down and settling herself cozily on Michael's side, a smug smirk appeared on Nikita's lips when she noticed that all the loving ministrations she did last night were still visible, along with some new ones. Kiss marks were peppered across Michael's neck and chest, making the world know that he was hers.

Hooking a leg in between his, she pressed her body to him, for warmth and a sense of security. She draped an arm across his abdomen and leaned her head by his chest. She was content on listening to his steadily-beating heart and watching the rise and fall of Michael's torso at each breath he took.

"I missed this," Nikita whispered, snuggling closer.

Turning slightly while reaching over to thread a hand through her silky hair, Michael gently pulled Nikita's face up so that he could look into her deep brown eyes. His face was so near that his breath tickled her nose and cheek. He told her, "I missed you."

She smiled just before his lips covered hers. Sweet, gentle, and tender. Instinctively, her arms snaked up and latched around his neck.

After a few moments though, the thought of where they were and what time it was somehow entered Nikita's mind. She uttered against Michael's lips, "We should go."

"Mm-hmm," he mumbled inattentively in reply, deepening the kiss. His hand lazily trailed down her body until it rested on her hip and squeezed it affectionately.

Nikita forgot what she was about to say. Or that she was going to a second later. Every time Michael's lips and hands were on her, that's what happens. Her thoughts scattered. Her senses got shot. He was all she could feel and think about.

Luckily though, when they pulled away shortly for air, she remembered. Cupping his face in her hand, she said, "I'm serious, Michael. It's getting late. We should go."

"You're serious?" His adorable half-smile appeared, "That's a first."

She chuckled, kissing him again while pulling the blanket over their heads. Maybe just a few minutes more. In semi-darkness. It couldn't hurt, right?

Gently yet inexorably, Michael nudged Nikita onto her back. He slipped his arms under her shoulders and braced it there, to put off some of his weight. She sighed into his ear and held on to him tightly as he dragged his lips along the erogenous place at the base of her neck. His stubble deliciously scratched her tanned skin, sensitizing every bundle of nerves in her, making her bite on her lower lip at the feeling. He branded her with kisses, marking her just like what she did to him.

Guiding Michael back up to her bruised lips, Nikita arched her back to press her body closer to him. His taste, his addicting, spicy-musky scent intoxicated her until she was lightheaded. Her arms looped around his narrow waist, fingertips lightly stroking his skin, sending a shudder down his spine.

But the idea of having the blanket over them turned out to be a rather bad one. It just added to their already-feverish senses. And the way Michael was moving against her was seriously not helping. God, he was going to be the death of her.

Pulling away abruptly while removing the blanket over their heads, Michael grinned teasingly as he asked, "You were saying?"

Nikita blinked, totally lost. The sudden air that passed through them cooled down her skin, making her slightly shiver a bit. Recovering a second later, she smirked and said, "Have I ever told you you're such a tease?"

"Maybe once or twice," he remarked lightly, nuzzling her cheek.

As Michael dipped his head again and trained his lips along her collarbone, Nikita, whose half-lidded eyes clouded over in distraction and pleasure, barely managed to get the words out, "I don't wanna have to pull out a gun."

He stopped and looked at her, an eyebrow raised in amusement.

Nikita smiled lazily. "Remember the last time someone walked in on us? We all pointed guns at each other."

"That was Owen's fault," Michael said, his lips twisted into a smirk as he remembered that time, "And you don't have a gun with you right now so that's not gonna happen."

She chuckled. "I could always get one by the shelf. But I don't think Alex or Nerd would appreciate it if we did the same thing to them."

"Good point," He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "But Birkhoff probably wouldn't mind. At least, he'll get to see you naked."

"Michael!" Nikita cried in mild astonishment, slapping his back.

He laughed softly, brushing his lips lightly on hers.

Nikita brought a hand to Michael's chest and pushed him away. A gleam appeared in her brown eyes as she told him, "If that's what you think, then maybe I'll just bring Nerd with me to the bathtub in my room instead. I'm sure he probably wouldn't mind."

A low growl rumbled in his chest as he pushed against her hand to try to nip at her lips. He warned her, "But I would."

A chuckle escaped Nikita's lips as she allowed Michael one last kiss before they got up.

I I

"You know, I've imagined this moment for so long." – 2x06

I I

Nikita was still in the bathroom putting on a dark blue tee when she heard the door to her bedroom open.

Pulling on some jean shorts, Nikita noted the familiar pitter-patterof small feet stealthily padding through the other room. Overhearing the voices talking in rather hushed tones a few seconds later, she laughed inwardly. Someone definitely has to be taught how to sneak in properly.

When she was done combing through her blow-dried hair, Nikita took her time to tidy up some things around the bathroom. She was careful not to slip on the wet tiles (caused by her and Michael's exuberant recreational activities earlier). It was here that she made a mental note that they both really should learn how to conserve water.

And, remembering something else, to check around the corners if they were ever to sneak around the house after doing the nasty in someplace other than the bedroom.

Not really much for their sake or the other's, but for Birkhoff's. He really should be spared from seeing his friends' walk-of-shame (or even more so, any chance of walking in on them) after everything he's done.

"Oh, sweet Jesus," he exclaimed in surprise, almost crashing into the pair as they rounded the corner by the kitchen after sneaking out of the training room. Birkhoff was carrying a bowl of cereal and when he suddenly halted, the almond milk sloshed over, soaking the front of his bathrobe and drenching Nikita's blanket and chest with it (though she didn't really complain much when Michael cleaned that up later).

Noticing that his friends were only wearing the pilfered wool blankets over their naked bodies (because what was the use of wearing clothes when they still were going to take it off when they got upstairs? It was just a waste of energy), Birkhoff made a face and complained, "Know what, never mind you guys have a 5 year-old kid who could be walking around here to get a glass of water right now, there's like, ten bedrooms in this house and you didn't even bother to get to one?"

Nikita chewed on her lower lip to stop from smiling at the embarrassment of being caught. And of Birkhoff uncommonly lecturing them so early in the morning (and why he was up at this ungodly hour was beyond her).

But, feeling bad at the thought that her friend probably hadn't expected seeing this unsightly scene when he woke up earlier, Nikita traipsed over to Birkhoff and gave him a reassuring, one-arm hug (as the other was still securing the wet and sticky blanket close to her body), "Sorry, Nerd. It just kinda happened."

"Yeah, right." He rolled his eyes. Having the decency to look away, Birkhoff squirmed under her arm and tightly pulled on the maroon terrycloth bathrobe he was wearing, "Ugh, get away from me, Nikki. You're getting Mikey's sweat and pheromones all over me."

The couple chuckled at that. Granting her friend's request, Nikita returned back to Michael's side. An awkward moment passed through them as they sheepishly stared at one another, not knowing what else to say. They cleared their throats and went around the other, silently vowing not to speak of this event in a long time. The pair was about to finally slink off to their original destination when their friend told them one last thing:

"And you guys are gonna disinfect the mats later. And whatever else your exploring hands felt up back there."

Wiping off the fog from the mirror so she could see her reflection, Nikita couldn't help but smile when thinking of her friend. She knew he was just being his usual, brotherly, snarky self earlier. But yes, they really should learn to be a bit more considerate.

They were, after all, freeloading off of him. It was the least they could do.

Walking into the bedroom, Nikita raised an eyebrow as she immediately noticed the unnatural lump on the bed. Though it was covered by the grey-colored silk duvet, she had a pretty good idea what – or rather, who – it was beneath. Smiling at Michael, who was drinking coffee from a mug while sitting nonchalantly next to the unfamiliar mass, she asked, "Did someone come in? I thought I heard the door open."

Michael settled his mug next to the one he brought for her on the bedside table. His signature smirk appeared on his lips as he played along. "No. Just me."

"Ohh," Nikita said, strolling over. She was trying her best to keep her voice steady and not laugh, "Huh, I was sure I heard another voice earlier."

The lump of blanket visibly shook. Michael and Nikita eyed it for a second and then threw each other an amused look.

"Must be in your head," he told her, a smile tugging on his lips. "Or maybe you should get your hearing checked."

"Maybe." Nikita laughed, crawling onto the bed. Sitting at one end of the lump, she smiled playfully as her hands lightly skimmed over the raised fabric. Grabbing hold of the duvet and quickly yanking it down to reveal the person hiding underneath, she exclaimed, "Gotcha!"

Ilya, all curled up like a ball, hid her face behind the stuffed toy Dalmatian in her hands and let out a tinkling laugh at being caught.

But she had barely time to react when Nikita blew a raspberry on her abdomen and her fingers found their way at her ticklish spots. The young child squealed and writhed and tried to wriggle out of her mother's firm grasp. Her high-pitched, uncontrollable giggles echoed around the room.

Out of experience, Nikita knew that whenever Ilya would be tickled, she'd have the tendency to flail her arms and legs in an attempt to escape. She didn't have any regard who or what she may smack along the way. So it was usually better and much safer to keep bystanders and other fragile items at a safe distance.

A precaution, Nikita had unknowingly failed to mention to Michael.

So as he reached over his two girls to grab the stuffed toy and a few pillows that were about to fall off the bed, the back of one of Ilya's hands connected with his face in a loud slap.

Hearing that unmistakable sound, Nikita instantly stopped and looked up. Michael was rubbing a reddened spot just below his eye, where he was hit. Realizing her negligence, she brought her hand to her lips to hide the sheepish smile that formed there.

Raising his gaze to meet hers, Michael remarked, "Well, at least now I know our daughter has one hell of a right hand."

Chuckling softly, Nikita cupped the unaffected side of his face. "Does it hurt?"

He gave her a look and leaned in to her palm, "I'm sure I've had worse."

"Right," She smiled knowingly.

Ilya, who was still trying to catch her breath after her mother's relentless assault, just stared up to her father with innocent, bright green eyes. Her chest rose and fell as she panted. Rolling over to sit up on her heels, she faced Michael directly and said, a bit breathlessly, "Mommy always says a kiss makes the hurt go away."

An amused smile formed on Michael's lips as he looked at his daughter, then to Nikita. Leaning back on the bed's ornate wooden headboard, there was a brilliant glint in his eyes as he replied, "Oh, really? She never told me that before."

Nikita let out a soft laugh as she laid on the pillows next to Michael, giving enough space in between them for their daughter. Smoothing her hand over Ilya's light pink pajamas, she gave her an encouraging little push and said, "Why don't you give Daddy a kiss, pumpkin?"

Crawling over, Ilya happily threw her arms around Michael's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek, beneath the place she had hit him just a few moments ago. She clung to her father as she asked sweetly, "Still hurt, Daddy?"

"Hmm," Michael said, scrunching up half his face in thought, "a bit."

Ilya gave him another kiss on the cheek.

Nikita couldn't hide her proud smile at the thought that Michael really knew how deal with children.

"I don't know," he teased the young girl after her second gesture of affection, "it still kinda hurts."

Pulling away from her father, Ilya frowned adorably and drew her lips into a disappointed pout. She looked deep in thought. Turning her head abruptly to Nikita, her loose brown curls bouncing as she did so, she said, "You kiss Daddy, Mommy. Mine don't work."

A smile formed on both parents' lips.

Granting her daughter's request (and realizing what Owen meant that Ilya was definitely getting her mother's bossiness), Nikita propped up on an elbow and gave Michael a quick kiss on the cheek. She whispered to him, ''You're really enjoying milking this, aren't you?"

His bright green eyes glinted. He told her, "Jealous?"

She rolled her eyes. Snuggling down back on the pillows, Nikita watched as Michael reached over and pulled Ilya closer, toy Dalmatian in tow.

Settling their daughter in the space in between them, he kissed her forehead and said, "I'm sorry, pumpkin." Nikita chuckled, noticing that Michael had caught on with the pet name. "Daddy was just joking. Your kisses do work."

Holding the stuffed animal closely, Ilya's dimple showed as she grinned smugly.

As the child launched into vividly describing her dream last night, Nikita found herself only half-listening when the look on Michael's face had caught her attention. The beautiful smile that graced his lips, the gentle and soft expression in his green eyes… It was all so mesmerizing. There was just a certain joy in him that Nikita only saw when he dealt with children. It made her happy too.

Looking over to Ilya, she didn't know how or why their daughter woke up early and went into their room that day. But she silently hoped that it would turn into a regular habit. Because Nikita could most certainly get used to having the three of them spend most of their mornings holed-up in the bedroom and just talking, teasing, laughing…

Bonding as a family, having their moments.

When she shifted and leaned against the headboard next to Michael, Ilya clambered over to her. She wrapped her arms around her mother's neck and plopped heavily onto her stomach. Giggling as she bounced up and down.

"Oh, Ilya, you're getting heavy," Nikita gasped laughingly as she sat up when her daughter had landed on her diaphragm, effectively pushing the air out of her mother's lungs. Michael laughed at that. Moving the 5-year-old into a more comfortable and less painful position, Nikita cupped her child's angelic face and nuzzled her nose.

Ilya carried on to animatedly talking about her stuffed dog to her parents, relaying the stories and adventures she had conjured up in her imagination overnight. Michael and Nikita just listened quietly with smiles on their faces, clearly fascinated by their daughter's creative thoughts.

But having surprisingly awakened earlier than her usual time, and being continuously cradled in her parents' arms, it wasn't long before drowsiness caught up with the young child. Little by little, she was getting less energetic, less talkative, and more sleepy. By the time Ilya yawned, she nestled her head on her mother's chest and cuddled her toy closer. A few minutes later, her eyelids drooped and then she dozed off.

"She really likes to sleep, doesn't she?" Michael spoke up, after making sure that Ilya was fully off to dreamland. His green eyes gleamed as he gazed at the young girl.

"Yeah," Nikita said, careful not to make any sudden movement. She laughed softly. How her daughter can seem to sleep almost anywhere at anytime was something she could never fathom. Pushing a loose strand of brown hair behind Ilya's ear, she gently kissed the top of the child's head. "Sleepyhead."

Leaning over to Michael's side, Nikita let out a satisfied sigh. She allowed some comfortable silence to come in between them. She was contented. Everything was the way it was supposed to be, and this moment was to be forever ingrained in her memory.

Wrapping an arm around her waist a few minutes later, Michael asked quietly, "What's on your mind?"

Nikita smiled – those seem to be so easy to come by right now. But she just couldn't believe it. With Michael by her side and their daughter in her arms, she could feel her heart expanding in her chest.

She couldn't believe that she finally had what she always wanted.

A home. A family.

There were so many things Nikita would tell Michael if he had to know what really was on her mind. The smile remained on her lips as she simply settled on saying, "Mommy and Daddy – it sounds nice."

Reaching over, Michael lightly ran his fingertips along Ilya's cheek. Then he chuckled softly as he planted a kiss on Nikita's temple. Weaving his free hand with hers, he told her, "It sure does."

Soooo… there you go!

Oh, and let me just clarify one thing, the implied shower scene written above isn't because of what Craig Silverstein said they'll be doing in Season 3 (though I am waaay excited for that. Maybe a bit too much. HAHAHA!). But when I first started planning for this story, a shower scene was already included. However subtle the details turned out. Just saying… ;)

But anyway! How'dya all like it?

Okay, so yeah, this chapter ended on a sweet note…

Everyone really sure you want me to continue and not stop here?

You might not like what's coming up, you know! Gasp.

Write down your thoughts in the Reviews, okay?

Thank you in advance! And for reading, of course.

Stay awesome.

xx Dani