AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARS
by Atlantis (naughtism@yahoo.com) 1998.
*** No copyright infringement intended.
*** Story set during Season Two.
Prologue:
It was dark outside.
"No, nothing". the guard said and continued his walk.
"Must be the wind". He said to himself and sighed. He went closer to the fence.
The wind whispered through the trees, and a chill passed down his spine as he felt
"Turn around". said a deep voice with foreign accent. He didn't move.
"Turn around!" the foreigner raised his voice. The guard turned around and found himself looking straight to the barrel of the gun.
******************
Nikita was rubbing the back of her neck.
"Whatcha doin', sugar?" she opened her eyes and smiled when Walter stood up next to her.
"I'm going to sleep". she said. "Oh, i'd love going to sleep with you, sugar". he smiled.
She opened her mouth to answer some witty response, but a voice behind her made her
"Nikita".
"Well, I guess i'll sleep alone tonight again". Walter said quickly and sighed. He walked
"What is it?" she asked.
He didn't answer. She scanned his face. He was calm and as usual she couldn't even guess
"Are you going to talk? 'Cause i'm going to drop dead any second now". she said finally.
"There's a briefing in twenty minutes". he said.
"what? now? I just got back..."
"It's priority one".
"I didn't sleep for almost 24 hours".
"Well, don't fall asleep now. Want some coffee?" he asked quietly. She nodded.
They didn't talk at all, just drank and exchanged stares, avoiding direct eye contact.
"Time's up". Michael said finally and took one last sip.
They went together to the briefing room.
"Yesterday", he put his hands on his chair. "A top secret governmental laboratory under military cover had been breached. All the guards were killed".
Nikita raised her head as the hologram screen was opened.
"This is Lorenzo Mauritchi, according to Israeli intelligence his real name is Yusuf Huseini,
Operations stopped for a moment and looked at Madeline.
"The Mosad has asked the agency to catch this guy for them several times. His one of the
Michael gazed at Operations. "Have they claimed any demands?" he asked.
"No, but our Israeli sources from the Mosad have information that they are trying to smuggle
"The agency wants us to catch Mauritchi in order to find the biological weapon and then they'll deliver him to the Israelis". Operations sat down as Madeline started
"Mauritchi is about 34 years old and has a great weakness to..." Madeline slowed
"Our sources say he's going to appear in Israel, as a guest of the Italian embassy, at a party the embassador having on Friday. He will appear as Enzo Bonitti, his covered identity which he used to donate money to the government, and of course, a way to get inside the country".
"Why not stop him at the border then?" Nikita interfered her.
"The Israelis want to get him quietly, they are afraid of the Palestinians' response and don't
"So you want us to vanish him". Nikita said in a low tone.
"You'll be at the party and attract his attention, then drug his drink". Said Madeline.
Nikita tried to hide her yawn and tried to look at Birkoff's watch.
"You'll get all the orders tomorrow". She finally heard the desired words of Operations.
Nikita hurried to her flat and crushed on the bed.
She woke up in haste as the ringing phone brought her to consciousness.
"Good mor..."
"We are waiting for you". he cut her out.
"I'm right there..." she murmured and closed the door.
as she rebuked herself for sleeping for so long, she started quickly to get dress and rushed
"You're late!" Angry Operations welcomed her. "I'm sorry... I didn't sle..."
"Madeline's office. NOW!"
Nikita frowned and walked away, hoping Madeline is in a good mood.
"Sleeping well?" Madeline asked with a small smile. "Catching up". Nikita sat next to Michael.
Madeline nodded and started to describe exactly what their job was.
******************
Nikita sat on the balcony of her hotel room in Tel Aviv, looking at the beautiful sight of the
"Hi Michael". she smiled at him.
"Hello". His face remained careless. She let him in.
"Coffee?" She asked.
"That would be fine". He said quietly.
She invited him to sit with her on the balcony.
"You look good, ready for the party?" she asked in a little smile.
He curved his mouth into a small smile. "And you?" he asked.
"Of course i'm not. Do I look like i'm ready?" she asked. She was wearing a simple blue shirt
"So, Michael, what brings you here?" she asked after a few seconds.
"I just wanted to be with you for a little while, before the mission". He said simply, and she
"Get ready". Michael stood up and went to the door.
She closed the door behind him and sighed. She was sorry this magical hour came to
She came to the party practically alone, Michael and another operative went together without
Then she saw Mauritchi. He was talking to some fat man, they stood near the caviar.
"Hello". he stood next to her.
"Hi". she smiled warmly.
"May I offer you a drink?" he asked. "Martini?"
"Martini would be fine". she said.
"I can't believe a woman as beautiful as you will come alone to this party". he said after
"My companion got sick at the last minute and I didn't want to miss the party". She said.
"Allow me to be your companion?" he asked. "I'm alone here too".
She smiled. "Of course".
"So what are you doing here?" he asked her.
"My friend, the companion I was talking about, works in the Australian embassy. I haven't
"You have a romantic relationship?" he asked, and Nikita felt she really hates his accent.
"No. We're just friends". she said. She had to shout since the music started to play.
"Ah good". He said. "May I ask what is your name?" He asked.
"Nikita".
"Ah, beautiful name. Beautiful name". he said. He took her hand. "I am Enzo". he shouted
"Dance with me Nikita". He didn't let go of her hand.
She walked behind him to the dancing floor.
"Get ready Nikita". she heard him in her ear.
"I want another drink". she told Mauritchi.
"What?" he didn't hear her.
"We're going out, we'll wait for you in exactly 5 minutes". she heard Michael again.
"I want another drink!" she raised her voice and pushed herself away from Mauritchi.
"After this dance". he said and grabbed her waist.
"Please, now". she said. when she looked away she saw Michael nodding at her and walking out of the room.
"Ok, Nikita, we're out". she heard Michael.
"I really need this drink". she said. "Ok, ok". he grinned.
There were shooting. Nikita prostrated quickly. People started to scream.The shooting
"Nikita, what's going on there?" she heard Michael.
"I don't know..." she whispered as the music was cut off.
"Get up". Mauritchi told her.
"From this moment, you are all hostages of me". Mauritchi said loudly.
**************
Michael sat in the van with the other operatives. Nikita was all alone in that house now.
"What the hell happened?!" he heard Operations' yell and looked down at Birkoff's screen.
"Apparently Mauritchi had other plans... we didn't know about". Michael hesitated.
"Other plans? I don't care about his plans! I want him! You blew it Michael! Do you have
"Just Nikita".
"And she's with Mauritchi?"
"Yes".
"Good. She has to get him out. We'll have troubles with the Agency AND the Mosad if we
"I need to get inside". Michael leaned over to Birkhoff. "The house is surrounded".
"How many guards?"
********************
Mauritichi ordered Nikita to stand in a far corner of the room. "I don't want my diamond
"I'll deal with you soon". he grinned and walked away from her.
"This is the embassador of Italy". said Mauritchi standing near the embassador.
Nikita identified him as the fat man whom Mauritchi was chatting with earlier.
"There is no state of Israel! therefor, there is no embassador of Italy in Israel". Said Mauritchi
"He's going to shoot the embassador". Nikita told Michael.
She shivered as Mauritchi shot the embassador's head. His wife screamed and fainted.
"Bring the children". said Mauritchi. Two men left his side and walked away.
"Nikita, how many men he has there?" she heard Michael.
"Too many. Twelve just in this room. one behind Mauritchi, two others just left. five around the room. two at the door and two more on the far western side of the room". Nikita scanned the big room.
"Don't hurt them!" Nikita shouted from the corner and walked forward.
"I won't. Not yet". he said.
"What do you want?" she asked, gritting her teeth.
"Soon you all will know". he said.
"Is the video ready Muhammad?" he asked one of the men. "Yes".
"I have an announcement to make". said Mauritchi to the video camera.
"I am holding 152 hostages", he looked down at the dead embassador. "151 actually".
"I will kill them all, unless government of Italy, my second home, accept my demands".
He stopped for a second and let the camera show all the faces in the room, and then focusing on the dead embassador's 4 children.
"What do you want!?" one of the guests shouted. Mauritchi chuckled and nodd his head at the man's direction. One of his men went to that man. Nikita couldn't see what he's doing, but
"150 hostages". said Mauritchi to the camera. "Nice round number. I'd like to keep it that
"Govenment of Italy will cancel any connection to Palestine under the Zionist conqueror,
"You're crazy". said a woman. "Lady, I said I want to keep my number on 150. I like that
*****************
"What?! He's crazy. Have you got a plan yet, Michael?" Operations asked after he heard
"No. We're looking for a way in".
"Well you better find one. I want Mauritchi alive".
"You'll get him alive". Michael answered calmly.
"The Israeli defense force already getting ready for a rescue mission. You better get him out
Michael didn't answer. He listened to the voice of Mauritchi.
"You have 24 hours to accept our demands. In 24 hours we'll start to kill 5 hostages every
"We have 24 hours".
"They won't wait 24 hours. You must get inside before the assault begin ".
"I will".
"Don't fail me again Michael".
"I won't".
Operations shut down the connection.
*******************
"Nikita, i'm trying to get in".
"Becarful Michael".
"Ah my diamond. There you are". Mauritchi stood infront of Nikita. She sighed.
"Waiting for me like a good girl".
"You're not what I thought you are. You disgust me". She said.
"Ah don't say that. I can show you my very gentle side".
"Don't run away from me, my diamond. The night is still young".
*******************
Michael and another operative walked close to the wall that surrounded the house.
"You'll see 2 guards to your left at the gate". Said Birkoff from the van.
"Josh, after we take these 2 down you cover me when I run to the back yard". Michael whispered.
"Yes sir".
At that moment they reached the gate. They shoot the 2 guards.
"Piece of cake" said Josh. "Hey you!" they saw 2 others running at their way.
"Cover me". Michael fired at them and started to run, camouflaging himself in the shadows.
He saw an open window in the back. He went closer. Then he saw a man standing on guard.
"I'm in, Nikita".
He didn't hear a thing.
"Nikita?"
He walked carfully down the hallway.
"Nikita where are you?"
*********************
"Stop it! I will not go with you!" Nikita tried to struggle when Mauritchi grabbed her arm and
"Let me go!"
"I will never let go of my diamond. Or do you wish to die like all of these people? Consider
"You're going to kill all of them? What if they accept your demands?" Nikita stopped
"Dammit". she cussed quietly.
"I... I lost my eye contact". she said and tried to bent down.
"Nevermind". he said and hugged her tighter.
"Please, Let me go!" She shouted.
Surrounded by guards, Nikita was led to the embassador's bedroom.
"Leave us". Ordered Mauritchi and the guards left.
"I won't sleep with you!"
"Yes you will". He pushed her and she fell on the bed.
She started to struggle with him.
"Ah I see my diamond likes it wild". He grinned.
Nikita kicked him, but he held her hands and started kissing her neck.
************************
"Assault in 20 minutes Michael". Said Birkoff.
"I can't find Nikita".
"Operations says forget Nikita, go for Mauritchi now".
"Tell him wherever Nikita is, so is Mauritchi".
"Bring him ALIVE".
"Nikita's transmitter broke down?" Michael asked suddenly, trying to walk through the guests,
"No, it's still working. She's not talking". Answered Birkoff.
"How you know his name?" asked the guard and pointed his weapon at him.
"I heard some guard callin him".
"He's busy. What you want with him?" Asked the guard in his shabby english.
Michael walked away quickly, trying to mix with the hostages.
*****************
Nikita was getting tired of struggling. He held her hands hard and hurt her.
"Let her go".
He said aiming his gun at Mauritchi. Mauritchi laghed.
"Bitch.." He whispered.
"Thanks Michael". Nikita stood in front of him. "Are you ok?" he asked quietly.
"Yes".
He moved forward and looked at Mauritchi. "You're coming with us". He said.
"I don't think so". Nikita couldn't even see what happened, but then Michael fell.
"Michael!" She cried out.
She tried to step forward but a gun was pointing at her.
"Don't move".
She stood still.
"Michael!"
Nikita dropped down to her kneese and rolled Michael to his back.
"I'm ok". he whispered.
"Don't lie to me". she said. He caughed and stood up, his body
"Can you walk?" she asked.
"He just shot me in the shoulder..." he murmured.
"Take him. Assault in a few minutes and we must bring him alive".
Nikita was amazed by his ability to stay so clear, even though he was wounded.
"You need to stop the bleeding".
"Later".
"Michael..."
"We have to go. We'll be in the van soon". he said.
They walked down the hallway. Nikita was holding unconsciousness Mauritchi, following
"Michael..."
"Keep walking Nikita..." He whispered.
"The little girl..."
"The assualt begins in 6 minutes. We have to be back by then". He tried to talk hard and
"Keep goin". He said and walked away. She watched him. He almost fell down the stairs, and
"Let her go". Michael said. He's hand wasn't stable and he tried to stop the shivering with
"Go to your room and stay there". Michael said softly to the young girl. "You'll be safe".
"Ok, Thank you Senior". Said the girl and ran to her room at the other side of the hallway.
"Where's Mauritchi?"
"Right here". Nikita said.
"I told you to keep going".
"I was worried about you".
"Take him".
They kept walking.
"You saved that girl". Nikita said. Michael didn't respond.
"You didn't lose your entire humanity after all".
"Hurry we don't have time". He said.
"Nikita..."
"What is it Michael?" she asked.
"Keep walking". He said and fell down to his kneese.
"Michael!"
He didn't answer.
She saw the assult team along with israeli forces starting to break inside the house.
"Ok lets go. Where's Michael?". Birkoff looked confused at Nikita.
"You have Mauritchi?" Operations asked.
"Yes, but Michael's down".
"Ok leave the place". Operations ordered.
"Michael was left behind. I'm going to bring him".
"Nikita..."
"It wil take a minute. He's close". She said.
"You have one minute". Operations closed the connection.
Nikita sneaked back, she listened to the shooting inside the house, worring for a second.
"I'm here". She said and helped him get up.
*************************
Epilogue:
"You did a good job". Operations said.
"You did a great job". Madeline smiled at her.
"How's Michael?" Nikita asked.
"He'll be fine". Madeline said.
"Did you get the bilogical weapon back?"
"Yes, Mauritichi cracked real quick. He's at the israelis' hands now". Madeline told her.
"And the hostages? no one was killed during the assualt?"
"It was good. The israeli defense force got all the glory, naturally". Madeline smiled again.
"Ok, good. I'll go visit Michael". NIkita said quietly.
"Briefing in two hours". Operations said.
Nikita sighed. She won't rest tonight.
"Hi". She said and smiled.
"Hello".
"How are you?"
"I'm fine".
"Good". She gazed at the floor as he raised his head.
"Thanks Nikita". He said.
"No need to thank me, I couldn't let you stay there".
"Not for rescuing me, for revealing for me I still haven't lost my humanity".
Nikita smiled and walked out of the room.
