I am really sorry for such a long wait... I think I just didn't want to end that story because I really really enjoyed it!

And also I totally lost my inspiration for an epilogue. Luckily it's back:D and I am happy to present you first of three last chapters!

I want to thank everyone who reviewed this story and motivated me to update:)

Hope you will enjoy it and please, leave a review!

Chapter 9

"Come on man, show me one."

Birkoff jumped out of his chair as soon as Michael entered Operations.

He knew there is something going on. Michael has been known of being incurable workaholic, fully dedicated to his work. Yet Birkoff knew, there is something that can successfully distract this man from work. So when Michael had stopped working after hours and had started using his days off, Birkoff knew something had to happen. Something more than "overwork " as Michael had been justifying his behavior.

Maybe Birkoff would have fall for this charade if he didn't know his buddy so well. Michael may have fooled jerks which Division is plenty of, with Percy on top, but nothing escapes Seymour Birkoff's skillful eye. Proud of his perspicacity, he waited patiently for the right moment, determined to squeeze from him all the juicy details.

He frowned seeing Michael's surprise. Like he had no idea what he is talking about.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Birkoff." Michael raised a brow in response and glanced at the files piling up on his desk. He let out a sigh of aversion.

Michael was never type of an extrovert but that was just too much. He wouldn't be more impassive on the Percy's funeral. Birkoff laughed ironically. Looking around and making sure there is no one to eavesdrop on their conversation he smiled at his friend with pity.

"It's not a secret that you are in exceptionally good mood lately. My guess is that your… "Long time investment" had just finalized." Birkoff gave him a significant look. The 'I know everything' kind of look. "I want to see the pictures. You owe me that much, man."

Michael didn't know if he is more shocked or surprised with his friend's unexpected speech. Schooling his features, Michael decided to ignore that demand. He reached for one of the files on the top of the pile and slowly walked to his chair, settling in it, and fully involving in glancing through the report.

Birkoff pursed his lips facing that much of ignorance. Determined not to let go this time, with arms crossed over his chest he didn't move an inch from his spot. After a long moment of silence, disturbed only by the humming of computers, Michael spoke with hushed voice, his eyes leveling Birkoff up and down: "You think I would be stupid enough to bring some here, Birkoff? "

"I knew it!" Birkoff couldn't stop this burst of happiness. He clashed his hands. " Dude that's awesome! Is it a boy of a girl Is it more you or Niikki? Can I pick a name?"

"Shh! "Michael hushed him down. " It's a girl." Michael let himself smile, a first time here, letting his guard down, letting free the real emotion. Proud and happy father. That's who he was. "She already has a name and she is….amazing."

"We have to celebrate it." Birkoff was beyond excited." Don't even try to talk yourself out of it, we are going on a beer and it's on you, Mikey! " He said seeing Michael who was opening his mouth with a ready excuse.

"I can't. I have a lot of work to do ." Michael flapped at him with the thick file holder. "But…" he paused and smiled "I can introduce you personally."

"Oh… well.. I don't know if that is necessary…" Birkoff stuttered. He was never fan of those little crying and pooping little monsters. "Picture would be enough."

"You are not afraid aren't you?" Michael frowned " Come over to dinner tomorrow afternoon. Don't worry, she doesn't bite…. " Evil smile appeared on Michael's face as he added "…Yet."

Michael entered the house and first thing that stroke him was unusual silence.

It was loud here lately. Maya was worse light-sleeper than both her parents combined. Even lightest sounds made her wake up and then she usually was showing her disapproval by ear-piercing cry which could wake up even the dead.

It's been 3 weeks since he moved in to Nikita's. And though he was never happier, living away from the city had it's drawbacks.

For waking up beside her and spending every precious second with his daughter, Michael paid a price of being constantly tired and sleepy. Not only he had to wake up at 4 am to make it to Division on time but also Maya had her every three hours feeding habit which meant being woken up by a siren-like noise at least 3 times during one night.

Yet incontestable value of this situation was that when he was finally leaving Division, he wasn't going back to an empty apartment anymore. He was going home. And someone was expecting him there , waiting until he will show up. Greeting him with a kiss full of longing.

In that moments every minute spent in the traffics and every non-slept night didn't matter anymore.

As silently as he could, Michael took off his shoes and noiselessly directed his steps to the kitchen. It was already cleaned up, with single plate on the table and card attached to it.

" Pizza and a salad are in the fridge, I burned the chicken again. "

Michael chuckled at this note. Nikita as a vegetarian did her best to come to peace with the fact that Michael likes and needs meat but her compassion to ex-alive animals somehow was making her murder them one more time so they literally were turning into ashes in the kitchen oven.

Michael put the card back on the table and went upstairs looking for someone he missed more than food.

"There is something you should know." Michael said drawing circles on her naked back later in the evening when they were lying in bed. Nikita with eyes closed was enjoying this caress.

"What is it?" When he spoke she opened one eye looking at him with smile on her face. There was nothing that could spoil her mood right now. Maybe except…..

"We are having guest on dinner tomorrow."

"What?" Nikita's eyes widened with surprise. They didn't have any friends here…. or anywhere.

"I kinda invited Birkoff over"-he smirked seeing her reaction.

"You've got to be kidding me." Nikita changed the position to sitting one.

" Come on, he did much for us after all…." Michael tried to ignore her hot naked body in front of him and focus on a logical answer "Besides, he was very happy when I invited him." Michael gave her one of those charming glances of his she couldn't resist. "You don't want to let Nerd down do you?"

Nikita eyed him with narrowed eyes. She knew well how Michael cares about Birkoff although he will never say that out loud.

"Fine." she surrendered. "But I'm agreeing only because I can't say no to you" she threw pillow at him.

"This is unbelievable" Birkoff took off sunglasses, looking around the beach house.

His eyes slipped through the white painted living room with comfy-looking beige couch swamped with baby clothes and other unrecognizable stuff and stopped on happily-looking Nikita with a baby in her arms.

He sighed and shook his head. "It feels like Adams family, no kidding"

"Nice to see you too, Nerd. " Nikita said.

"Nikki, I kinda got used to seeing you raise from the dead once in a while. It's almost a tradition"

" Watch your words, so you wouldn't have to be the one raising from the dead Nerd." Her voice was sharp like a knife.

"Whoah guys, easy.." Michael tried to settle them down seeing sparks of anger in Nikita's eyes. " It's supposed to be easy-going dinner, not gunfight."

"Sorry…. " Birkoff surrendered. "I meant…. It's always a pleasure to discover you are undead."

Nikita opened her mouth, ready to throw another sarcastic comment but Michael was faster:

"What she wants to say is thank you Birkoff for keeping a secret. We really appreciate it." He placed his arm around Nikita's waist.

"Yeah… I guess that's what friends do…." Birkoff was clearly abashed.

Family was never his thing and those two were the closest to it he ever had in Division. Noticing the embarassment on Nerd's face Nikita felt really sorry for him. He was a good guy. One of a very few in Division. Sweet weight in her arms reminded her how much she ows him. Smile widened Nikita's lips as she said: "Maya, meet our friend Seymour"

He looked at this little thing Nikita was swinging in her arms. Little girl was enjoying this so much that she made various sounds reminding Birkoff of clogged pipe. The picture was filled with bubbles of spit around her little mouth. Probably Michael and Nikita saw it as most adorable picture in the world but for him it was just disgusting.

He winced. Babies…

Though he had to admit this one was really cute.

He forced a smile and waved to her. Little creature's mouth widened with toothless smile.

Right…. Babies and their little pink, fuzzy faces. What the hell did he stepped into?

"Still can't get used to seeing you guys with a baby instead of a sniper rifle in your hands." Birkoff said chewing the steak "Though I have to admit maternity suits you Nikki, I didn't know you cook so well"

"Well…. I didn't technically cook this but thank you Nerd."

They were sitting on the terrace, eating dinner. Nikita constantly smiling seeing Birkoff's discomposure. "Everything okay there? " she asked " You keep looking at her like she was about to attack you."

Birkoff nervously glanced at that little toothless monster swinging in the high chair next to Nikita and laughed uneasily " No… not at all."

Birkoff shook his head to get rid of the chills which run down his spine and took another helping of smashed potatoes . He stared at his friends, his eyes shifting from one to another. Who knew that those two would create something which is close to normally-functioning-family?

Two broken people who had healed each other's wounds. Yeah… that must be it- he thought. They had saved each other. Got back on the surface because they'd had something more than rage and sense of injustice inside. Hope for better times.

Maybe it was an exaggeration but Birkoff always has been swearing that he had noticed a significant change when Nikita was brought into Division. There was something between those two since the day one. Even if they didn't knew that yet, they were destined to each other.

He took another sip of a beer. Bitter and sweet taste spread down his throat. Good one. He will drop in here a lot more often.

"So… "Michael put aside his cutlery back on the table and looked at Nikita and Birkoff. "Since we are all here. There is something we need to talk about."

Birkoff felt like a piece of potato stuck in his throat. He knew where this is going. Swallowing the food and leaning back in a chair he waited for what Mikey has to say.

R&R!

Have a happy holiday everyone! ;)