LOOK TO THE RAINBOW
by Anya
Chapter 1
Nikita heard the sharp rap on her front door.
"Walter!
"No, they're for Birkoff!" Walter shot back, pretending to be annoyed. "Of course they're for you!"
Nikita accepted the flowers from him and, in return, wrapped
him in a warm embrace.
"Let me put these in water," she said moving into the
kitchen.
"Wine would be great," Walter said.
"Yeah... the glasses are on the counter," she said, pointing
with a daisy to the wire-wrapped stemware.
"For you, Sugar, anything," he said gallantly, placing his
hand over his heart and giving her a mock bow.
"Yeah," Nikita admitted shyly.
"Like it?
Nikita grinned, pleased that he was so enthusiastic.
She finished arranging the flowers and placed them on the
table in the entry.
It had been several months since Belinda's suicide mission
and Walter was still occasionally having problems.
"I'm dealing with it, Sugar, one day at a time," he said quietly.
Nikita held him close for a moment longer.
"Sugar... don't cry," he said as he reached up and gently
wiped the tears away with a calloused hand.
Nikita gave him a watery chuckle, saying, "God, I hate seeing a grown man cry."
"It's not a pretty sight... well... you know," Walter
declared.
"I know, but I... needed to do it myself, you know?
Not one to resist temptation, Walter immediately asked, "Your underwear drawer?"
"Walter, you're incorrigible!
"Hey!
"Don't even think about going there!" she warned, her eyes twinkling.
"Gee, you take all the fun out of it," he pouted.
Nikita picked up her wineglass and moved into the living
room to join him.
"So, what're we gonna watch tonight, Sugar?
"It's not a documentary, so relax," she retorted. "I think
you'll like this; it's a musical I remember seeing when I was little.
Walter gave Nikita a crooked grin.
"Really?" Nikita
asked, amazed.
"Hmmm, curious aren't you?" Walter said, teasing.
"Trust you to remember those two things... the girls and the reviews!" Nikita laughed.
"So what's the show?" Walter asked as he headed for the sofa.
Nikita's eyes narrowed as she looked at him thoughtfully.
"You know... I don't think I'll tell you.
"Ohhhh, Sugar... I hope you got paid today!" Walter said,
his smile lighting up his face.
Nikita ran up to her bedroom and rummaged in a drawer.
Walter placed his hands over his heart and affecting an injured air, declared, "Sugar, I never cheat."
"Much," Nikita added.
Walter grinned again, took the sleeping mask and slipped it
over his eyes.
"I'll get you back... don't worry," he said with a huge smile.
Nikita punched the play button on the remote control and
said, "Remember... ten seconds... starting... now!"
As the music began, Walter sat forward, his head cocked
slightly to one side to hear better.
Nikita's chin dropped as she stared at him with new found
respect.
"Well now, that depends.
"Let's call out," she said promptly.
Walter grinned.
Nikita watched fascinated, as Walter considered the
options.
"I know!" he said, snapping his fingers.
Stunned into silent admiration, Nikita handed him the
phone.
"Walter, you're amazing," she said.
He grinned and said, "How what?
"Both!" she answered astounded.
"Sugar, you picked the one musical I know inside out!"
Walter exclaimed.
Nikita smiled at the expression on Walter's face... wistful,
relaxed, and happy... a combination she hadn't seen in a while.
"O'Hara's a friend from way back," Walter began.
"I should have known better than to try and out-smart you,"
she said ruefully.
"Oh, twenty minutes or so, give or take a few.
"Well then, you can help me get things ready," Nikita
announced.
Walter heard her banging around in her bedroom and caught
glimpses of clothes and shoes flying across the room.
"Here, this should fit you," she said handing them to Walter
with a huge grin on her face. "You can change down here... if you're not too
modest... or you can go upstairs."
He caught Nikita's appreciative gaze in the mirror. "I'm not ready for the pasture yet, Sugar," he said, raising one eye-brow suggestively.
"I'm convinced!
"What table?
"Sorry... I thought we'd set the coffee table since I don't
have a dining table... just to look nice," she repeated handing him a
tablecloth.
Walter gingerly fingered the delicate fabric she'd handed
him and whistled, "Linen?
"I got it the second... no the third time I was in
Ireland.
Walter could understand their befriending Nikita; there was
something about her that invited friendship.
She could charm the
socks off anyone , he thought.
She cleared her usual clutter off the coffee table and
arranged the tablecloth over it and then put the placemats and napkins on the
side next to the sofa.
They had just finished the preparations when the doorbell sounded. "Perfect timing," Walter said as Nikita headed for the door.
The petite young woman delivering the food gave Walter a
bright smile when she spied him standing behind Nikita.
Walter took the bag she extended and pulled out first a
bottle of Jameson's Old Irish whisky and then one of Bailey's Irish Cream.
Nikita's eyes were sparkling as she pulled her wallet from
her purse.
"No, Walter.
"Pleased to meet you," Deirdre said with a beautiful Irish
lilt in her voice.
"I heard that!
"Tell your 'da' that if this tastes as wonderful as it
smells, I'll be a regular.
"That would be great!
Nikita closed the door after Deirdre and turned to look at
Walter speculatively.
"Now, Sugar," Walter began. "Don't get your feathers
ruffled.
Nikita's face was thoughtful for a moment and then she said with a smile playing around her lips, "It's a mental picture I'm having a bit of trouble putting your face into... you with a baby in your arms instead of bomb." She shook her head slightly and continued, "Jeez, this has been a night for the record books."
Walter looked confused. "Record books? What are you talking about?"
"Well, you've been here less than an hour and I've found out
more about you in that hour than I have in a year!
Walter grabbed her and gave her a hug and a lightening quick
buss on the cheek.
"Yes, let's," she answered with a grin.
------------------
Chapter 2
Dinner was magnificent and Walter was an incredible
raconteur.
"Hey, Sugar... we gonna watch the show tonight or not?" Walter asked as he carried his plate into the kitchen where Nikita was putting the leftovers away.
"I'm sorry, yeah," she said.
"Late?!?
They finished in the kitchen and Walter again sat in the
middle of the sofa, fully expecting Nikita to flop down on the floor like she
usually did.
Walter usually watched movies very casually... feet up and
arms across the back of the sofa... and he knew Nikita knew this.
"No, Walter, I'll move to the floor if you're not
comfortable, but I'd really rather sit up here with you."
Walter considered for a moment and then said, thoughtfully,
"Yeah, I imagine there were, but you were the only one available at that
moment.
"He made my skin crawl," she said with a shiver.
"And that would have landed you in very hot water, young
lady," Walter cautioned, shaking a finger at her.
Nikita acknowledged his warning, then with a small chuckled she admitted, "I know, but it was a close thing."
"Well, you just cuddle up next to old Walter here and let him chase all the evil spirits from your dreams!" Walter said tenderly, drawing her to his side and wrapping his arms around her.
She laid her head on his shoulder and asked wistfully, "Will you sing for me?"
"Sugar, I'll sing for you... anytime you ask," he said gently, dropping a light kiss on top of her head.
"Anytime?" she said, looking up with a smile.
***
They watched the movie without stopping and with only
minimal comments from Walter.
"My god, Walter, he sounds just like you!" Nikita said when the movie was over.
"You shoulda heard me when I was on stage.
"Really?!?
Walter paused a moment and then obviously thought better of
revealing anymore.
Nikita giggled and hugged him.
"Of course!" he declared as he returned her hug.
------------------
Chapter 3
Walter left Nikita's just after midnight... still wearing
her sweater and bandana.
"O'Hara, you old leprechaun!
O'Hara smiled and said in a broad Irish brogue, "Well, now,
that's the kind of greeting a man likes to hear from his business
associate.
"Well, whoever it was, it was magnificent!
"Heaven and the saints preserve us... 'Nikita' is it now?"
O'Hara said with a sly grin.
"Drop the matchmaking, Kavin...
"And sure now, 'tis Belinda ye haven't forgotten yet,
either," O'Hara said gently.
"Yeah... she knows," Walter said quietly.
"Ah, sure and 'tis afraid of commitment, is he now?" O'Hara
queried.
"No, Michael's not afraid of commitment," Walter
stated.
O'Hara digested this nugget for a few minutes and then
asked, "Well now... what does the maid
Walter chuckled, "Nikita would just as soon tell the 'company'
to take a flying leap off the top of Blarney Castle!" His grin was almost feral
as he contemplated the image of Operations and Madeline leaning back to kiss
the Blarney stone and tumbling over the edge.
"Maybe one of them should leave the company and work somewhere else?" O'Hara asked.
"Leaving the company is not
an option," Walter said, with a fierceness O'Hara was not too surprised to
hear.
O'Hara topped off Walter's drink and said, "Well now, don't
worry too much about the youngsters, friend.
After a moment O'Hara continued, "Why don't ye take your sad
old carcass back to the kitchen, say goodnight to Caitlin and Deirdre and then
sleep upstairs in the spare bedroom tonight?
"Now that's one of the best invitations I've had in a
while.
"Aye, 'tis a bold, sassy tongue that one has in her head,"
O'Hara admitted.
"You'd have to know Nikita," Walter started to explain.
------------------
Chapter 4
Nikita and Michael had just returned from a two week mission
in Northern Ireland and she couldn't wait to see Walter; she was anxious to
give him the Aran sweater she'd gotten for him.
They paused in the hallway as Operations met them looking
very pleased.
Nikita stared at Operations' retreating figure.
Michael glanced at her, gave her a slight shrug and said,
"Let's get the debrief over and get out of here.
Nikita's heart and soul sang!
"Sounds great!" she said, smiling.
"No... have you any ideas?"
"Yeah... we can talk about it once we get through
debriefing," Nikita said, her mind racing.
"Fine," he said.
"Right.
In companionable silent, Michael and Nikita headed for Walter's station.
Walter was waiting for them when they arrived.
"Everything was fine," Michael said quietly.
"Sure, Michael," she said with a smile.
"Pretty good, actually, Sugar," he said.
Nikita was dragging equipment out of her bag, but she paused
when she heard that.
"Oh, they're doing fine.
"Walter, that would be great but..." she started, not wanting to hurt his feelings.
"But what?'
Nikita protested, "No, Walter, that's not right!
Walter's eyebrows almost disappeared beneath his
bandana.
"No... really... he just asked... out of the blue!
"Wait a minute, Sugar! Now I know you're pulling my
leg.
"That's what I thought, too, but he did.
"Nothing that I know
of.
Nikita resumed unloading her equipment, but stopped before
she pulled out the Aran sweater.
"Tomorrow night it is... but dinner's on me this time,
Sugar.
She said, "I thought we could go to O'Hara's.
"Sugar, Kavin's been aching to get a look at you!
"You're a sweetheart, Walter."
***
Birkoff watched her cross the room, then looked at Walter,
and saw the slightly bemused look on his older friend's face.
Birkoff left his computers and walked over to Walter's
station.
"Yeah, Sugar has had a good day.
"Catch her?
Walter rolled his eyes and sighed, saying, "Why, so you can sign her dance card, you dimwit."
Birkoff still looked bewildered, but said, "Oh, yeah... right... I guess..."
"Birkoff, if it has to be explained, then the joke's no
good.
"Not on your life!"
------------------
Chapter 5
The atmosphere at O'Hara's was warm and intimate.
Deirdre met Nikita and Michael at the hostess station and
immediately took them to a table marked Reserved.
Nikita turned to Michael and explained in a low voice,
"Walter is friends with the owner.
"This is fine... and seeing the line waiting to be seated,
it was considerate of Walter to call ahead," Michael admitted.
Like Birkoff, he too had noticed that Nikita and Walter
seemed to be spending more and more time together.
They were seated and Deirdre rattled off the day's
specials... and then proceeded to tell them what they should have instead.
After Deirdre had taken their order and left the table,
Nikita finally released the laughter she'd been holding back.
That got a slight reaction from Michael.
"I know," she said sadly.
Michael was a bit astonished at this reading of Walter's
character, but as he thought about what Nikita had said, he realized it was
true.
"You've been spending a lot of time with Walter lately, haven't you?" he asked with a seemingly innocent air.
Nikita thought for a moment before answering, "Yes."
When she lifted her sky-blue eyes to his silver-green ones,
he could see hers were clouded with the memory of those emotions.
Michael recognized Nikita's drive to help Walter.
Deirdre returned with their drinks and with a bright smile
said, "Da will be out in a minute.
Michael gave Nikita a curious glance.
At that, Michael again raised his eyebrows.
***
As soon as O'Hara could, he came to Michael and Nikita's
table.
With a quick look at Michael, O'Hara turned back to Nikita
and continued, "'Twas -- and I quote -- 'very beautiful' -- end quote -- he
called ye, but I can see for meself that the old reprobate lied.
Nikita blushed furiously.
O'Hara laughed and extended his hand to Michael.
Michael shook O'Hara's hand and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, too."
"I'm glad to finally meet you.
"Aye, he's doing better, thank God and Mary and St.
Patrick.
They chatted amiably for a few more minutes until their meal
came and O'Hara was called to the bar.
***
As they finished their meal, Nikita turned to Michael and
said, "I had a lovely time tonight."
"You're welcome," Michael said quietly.
"I know," Nikita said sadly.
"Yes, I know... I wish it could be different, too."
As he finished speaking he glanced into the bar and wasn't
too surprised to see Walter there, talking animatedly to O'Hara.
Nikita looked quickly into the bar.
Michael considered for a moment, and then said, "Let's see
if he'll join us... I owe it to him."
When Nikita looked at him curiously, he explained, "After
the Shays mission, he was... very angry with me... believing I'd let you
die.
She moved deftly between the tables and looked at Michael
expectantly.
"Sure now, 'tis very kind of you.
Michael and Nikita watched as Deirdre entered the bar.
Michael turned to Nikita and said with a wry smile, "I'm not
sure I want to know what she said to get him over here.
Walter approached their table somewhat cautiously.
Nikita reached out, took his hand and pulled him down onto
the chair beside her.
"Nikita... be nice," Michael began, the gleam in his eyes
and the teasing sound of his voice beliing the severity of the words
themselves.
Walter did a double take.
Walter edged his chair slightly closer to Michael's...
whether to protect himself or Michael, Nikita wasn't sure.
"Well that's a fine how-do-you-do!" Nikita began, putting on
her best 'poor pitiful me' face.
Walter let out a bark of laughter.
She joined in the laughter.
Walter turned to Michael and said, "When she looks at me with those sky-blues shining like they are tonight... I can't refuse her anything."
With an intense look at Nikita, Michael replied quietly, "I have the same problem myself."
Nikita saw the silent promise of things to come in his eyes
and smiled warmly at Michael... answering his promise with one of her own.
Amid their laughter, Deirdre came back to the table with
coffee.
Deirdre turned to Michael and Walter, saying, "Well, now, 'tis ashamed ye two should be... picking on Nikita."
Walter quickly interjected, "Don't go getting your Irish up,
girl!
"Aye, and ye'll be there right beside me drying 'em!"
Deirdre retorted.
Walter reached up to pat her shoulder and said, "Now, who's being picked on?"
***
The trio separated shortly after they finished dessert;
Walter returned to his room above the pub, while Michael took Nikita home.
------------------
Chapter 6
After closing, O'Hara came up to talk to his friend for a
moment.
"You didn't believe me, did you?
"We'll see," O'Hara laughed.
Changing the tone of the conversation, Walter asked, "What did you think of Nikita?"
"Aye, sure and she's lovelier than ye let me think.
"I know.
"Aye, that may be all ye are to her, but the question is, what is she to ye?" O'Hara bluntly asked. "And don't be trying to tell me that she's just a friend, because I'm not sure I'll believe ye."
Walter was stunned.
"Ye've not 'done' anything, ye idjit.
"Kavin, what should I do?
O'Hara threw back his head and laughed.
After a few minutes O'Hara wiped his eyes on his shirt
sleeve and said, practically, "Are ye daft, man?
Walter sat forward in his chair and said quietly, "Maybe not
yet, but I was about to.
"Don't fret so.
"I don't know yet," Walter began.
O'Hara thought for a moment, "'Tis a better idea I have... has she ever seen your place?" Walter shook his head and O'Hara continued, "No, then that's where ye take her."
"Now wait just a minute, Kavin!
"She won't because ye aren't going to let her!
"She's going to think I'm trying to seduce her."
"What she thinks is going to be up to ye, me friend.
Walter sat back, reviewing all his friend had said.
***
O'Hara stopped by Walter's room the next morning to see if
he wanted to go to mass, but Walter wasn't there.
"He's already gone, Da," she replied sipping her breakfast
tea.
O'Hara raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
***
He entered the church and made his way towards the Lady
Chapel, stopping first at the bank of candles burning at the foot of an
exquisitely lovely statue of the Virgin Mary.
O'Hara lit two candles... one for Michael and one for
Nikita.
Then O'Hara added a candle for Walter.
He remained kneeling before the statue until the priest was
almost ready to begin, then he moved silently to the Lady Chapel.
***
After the benediction and postlude, O'Hara and Walter
quietly left the church.
"Aye, I stopped by your room to see if ye wanted to go, but
you'd already left.
"Last night," Walter began, "I asked Belinda to give me some
kind of sign that everything was going to be okay and that she understood.
O'Hara gently patted Walter's shoulder and said, "Aye, so ye
believe now what Nikita's been trying to show ye, do ye?
Walter nodded and then looked his friend in the eye, saying,
"And not just Nikita... you've been there for me too.
"What're friends for, I ask ye, if not for lending a hand... or a shoulder... when ye need one?"
Walter cleared his throat and squared his shoulders.
O'Hara laughed and said, "Never ye mind!
The two men parted company, each knowing that their friendship was a thing to be prized.
------------------
Chapter 7
As Nikita turned the corner leading to Walter's apartment,
she couldn't help but think about last night.
Last night Michael had given her her heart's desire... what
she had dreamed of almost every night she'd been in Section.
The door was opened almost immediately by Walter, his face
wreathed in smiles.
"Come in, Sugar, come in," he said with delight.
"No, this is great!
Walter let out a long, low wolf whistle.
"Wine would be great!" she said, smiling.
"Oh, Sugar, whatever I did for you, it was an honor and a
pleasure.
Before he removed the wrapping, Walter gave it a small
shake, then put his ear to it.
"I used an electronic timer," Nikita retorted.
"Okay, okay," he said grinning at her obvious impatience. With exaggerated care, he put it on the table and began methodically unwrapping it; first untiing the ribbon, then carefully cutting the tape holding the wrapping paper to the box.
Nikita fairly danced with impatience.
She paused as he gazed thoughtfully into her eyes for a moment, and then she said, "Don't tell me... this is one of those 'which do you prefer... the journey or the destination?' moments, right?"
Walter laughed, "Yeah, I guess I'm just a 'journey' kinda
guy.
Nikita nodded with delight. "Much better!"
Walter raised the lid and then lifted the tissue paper to
finally reveal the Aran sweater.
As he started to lift it out of the box, Nikita warned, "Be careful... there's something else in there... something fragile."
Walter cautiously unfolded the sweater to reveal six
tissue-wrapped objects.
Nikita smiled gently and returned his embrace.
Walter was slightly taken back by the intensity in her voice
and her attitude.
Still in the cirlce of Walter's arms, Nikita continued, "The
six months I was out... even though I tried not to, not a day went by that I
didn't think about you all... wondering what you were doing... what was going
on in Section.
Walter's arms tightened around her back.
Walter laughed and loosened his hold.
"We're not going anywhere for dinner," he said as he
tenderly unwrapped each wineglass.
"No!
"Make yourself at home, Sugar.
Nikita grinned and said, "I have to confess... they were
already done when you came over that night.
"Well, they are wonderful," he said, pouring the wine.
Nikita's smile grew mischievous, "Hmmm, I didn't know they
had knitting needles in the dark ages."
"You little imp!" he said.
Changing the subject, Nikita asked, looking around, "Are
they still here?
Walter laughed again. "That's the Irish for you," he said as
he lead her into the dining room.
"Thanks," she said.
"It's Chicken Gruyère," he said as he served her.
"Sounds heavenly.
Walter laughed as he served her plate and passed it to
her.
"It's not that bad, Walter... is it?" she asked incredulously.
"Well, between you and Michael, in three and a half years
we've had to replace it five times!"
"Now I'll be too self-conscious to even look at the thing..." Nikita started, gazing down at her plate.
Walter, sorry for causing her distress, said, "Nikita, don't
worry about it.
Nikita looked up at that.
"Yeah, Sugar.
"Birkoff?"
Walter chuckled.
She nodded again and then said quietly, "You know, when
we're in the middle of a mission, I don't think I really 'see' him."
"Yep," Walter replied.
Nikita smiled; Walter was as proud of Birkoff as any parent
could be.
Walter gazed at her.
"He told me once that he killed his sister... but I'm not
sure I believe that.
"Sugar, you know there're lots of ways to kill.
Nikita was silent for a few minutes considering Walter's
statements.
Walter watched her as she pondered what he had said.
"We are?
"Sugar, tonight we are celebrating my return.
"I know where I've been... where'd you go?" she asked, curiousity getting the better of her.
"Well, I've been to hell, but I'm back now, thanks to some
very special people I am privileged to call my friends," Walter said, as he
stood to offer a toast.
Nikita's eyes were brimming with unshed tears as she
listened to his tribute.
Walter went on, "Last night... I asked Belinda for a sign
that she understood I had to go on living.
With that, he raised his glass and finished the toast.
Nikita at last allowed the tears gathering in her eyes to
spill over her lashes and down her cheeks.
For the second time that evening, they stood mute... their
arms wrapped around each other.
On the day she was
born,
Said her father, said
he,
"I've an elegant
legacy waiting for ye.
'Tis a rhyme for your
lip, and song for your heart,
To sing it whenever
the world falls apart."
"Look, look, look to
the rainbow,
Follow it over the
hill and stream.
Look, look, look to
the rainbow,
Follow the fellow who
follows a dream."
'Twas a sumptuous gift
to bequeath to a child,
For the lure of that song keeps me feet running wild.
'Tis a rhyme for me
lip, and song for me heart,
To sing it whenever
the world falls apart.
"Look, look, look to
the rainbow,
Follow it over the
hill and stream.
Look, look, look to
the rainbow,
Follow the fellow who
follows a dream."
So I bundled me heart,
and I roamed the world free,
To the east with the
lark, to the west with the sea;
And I searched all the
earth, and I scanned all the skies.
But I found it at last
in me own true love's eyes.
"Look, look, look to
the rainbow,
Follow it over the
hill and stream.
Look, look, look to
the rainbow,
Follow the fellow who
follows a dream."
Follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow who
follows a dream.
THE END
