Author's note: This is the second to last chapter guys. Thanks for so much for your support!
Silence welcomed Michael, Nikita and Birkhoff the second they entered Division's headquarters. Birkhoff headed to Operations to check in on his team of hackers while Michael walked Nikita to her room. Their shoulders were in constant contact until they reached her room.
"You did well tonight," he folded his arms to stop himself from touching her. Unlike Brankman's mansion and the van, he knew that he couldn't walk on that thin line between professional and personal in Division's headquarters.
A smirk teased her lips, "You weren't so bad yourself."
His mouth nearly formed into a grin, "For a desk jockey?"
"I never said that."
"You implied it."
"Well, I was," she lowered her voice, "wrong."
He couldn't help himself and turned his ear to her, "I'm sorry I didn't catch that."
"You know you heard me," she nodded, her almond eyes briefly narrowed.
Both felt fortunate that there weren't cameras in the halls because the way they were gazing at one another would have certainly warranted a meeting with Amanda.
She took in a barely audible lungful of air when he leaned forward; his hand grazed the side of her waist as he opened the door for her. With his face an inch away from hers, his green eyes went to her mouth before meeting her stare. If it weren't for their situation he would have followed his instincts instead of suppressing them.
"Goodnight Nikita," he told her before slowly moving back.
"Night," she exhaled and stepped into her room keeping the door slightly ajar. Through the small opening she kept her eyes on him.
He turned around feeling her stare on his back. As he walked down the hall he felt proud for not losing control along with a little bit of lament. Being close to her that night made him realize how alone he was. A quick smile came to his mouth once he heard her door click shut.
Her back leaned against the door, "Tease."
Two days later, Michael went to Nikita's room informing her that they needed to discuss an important matter. Her heart went to the pit of her stomach; she thought he wanted to talk about the awkwardness of their last mission.
"Is something wrong?" she asked walking alongside him in the corridor, "Is it Percy?"
His face was stoic, "Nikita, just follow me."
Like the gentleman that he is, he opened the door to his office for her.
Once she took her seat she moved her chair forward. With unsure eyes she asked, "What is it, Michael?"
With a hint of delight on his face, he sat down, opened his drawer and held up the book that she had been reading before the mission. He asked her, "I'm starting chapter six tonight, you?"
A wide grin spread across her face upon finding out his shared interest, she replied, "I just finished five this morning."
They spent the next hour discussing and debating what they had read so far.