Yay, I managed to update in decent time! Hope you enjoy this little bit evil chapter and leave a review!

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Chapter 10

Cold wind brought chills on Nikita's skin as she stepped out on the porch. Grabbing the blanket from the basket, she sat down on the bench wrapping the pleasantly warm material around her shoulders.

Windy and chilly evenings were normal on the seaside. A breeze which was a relief during the hot summer days could as well chill you to the marrow in the evening.

Hiding her hands under the blanket, Nikita's eyes drifted to the plain surface of the ocean. Last sun beams were flickering and dancing on the trembling surface creating an incredible spectacle. Beach was almost empty, with only few social workers collecting the litter from the sand.

Ocean was calm, but during her time here, in Bradenton, Nikita learnt that this steadiness may be delusive. In a split second this plain and steady surface can turn into the raging monster.

They had spent this sunny day playing on the beach, Maya conscientiously learning to use her new shovel and sand bucket, which as Nikita reluctantly had to admit to herself, was a bribe to take her daughter's attention away from the matters that were hard to explain for a 15 months old baby.

Like for instance, why daddy isn't home yet.

Maya , her almost one and a half year old daughter maybe didn't speak so well but she definitely could notice that something had changed.

With a pink hat on her head and shovel in hand little girl was tapping the sand amazed by the blunt sound it made. During summer days, she was spending every hour in her own, giant sandbox, commonly known as the beach. Pouring the sand into the sand box and back out of it, she was gasping with amazement each time sparkling sand crystals were pouring through her fingers.

Nikita could watch her play all the time. Her joy and fascination with every single thing she took into her little fingers was amazing. She never considered herself a mother material, but this little devil was the best thing that happened in her life. She healed all the scars on her soul. She brought her and Michael together. She was their angel, their miracle, their worry, their everything.

Little girl stopped tapping the sand, looking around using the whole body for that process .

"Here we go again" Nikita thought. Even the best bribes won't keep that child tantalized for long. Little lips pulled down, and with trembling nose she sniffed : "Where is daddy?"

"Daddy is working."

"When he play with me? " Maya's eyes sparkling back at her.

" Soon, honey." What was most painful, Nikita had no idea herself. Yet despite the horror in her heart she kept smiling, stroking sleek, dark hair of her daughter saying : Soon, But what guarantee she had that it is true ? None. Only the hope that everything will be alright. That their fairytale can have a happy ending.

She flipped her phone over in her hand, weighing the feel of it in her palm. Nikita hasn't let it out of her sight for the past week. If Michael called, she would know right away.

She hadn't seen him for 9 long days, hadn't heard a word about him. Plan was good. Good but risky. After months of preparation Michael was finally getting out of Division.

888

What do you think? Michael asked after giving them the specifics. His eyes shifting from Birkhoff to Nikita, waiting for an answer. Birkhoff gave him a silent yet confident nod, Nikita was sitting still with eyes fixed on the horizon. Michael knew she will be the hardest to convince.

"One condition." She said with arms crossed over her chest when she finally loked at him. " I'm coming with you."

"That's not an option, Nikita." Michael leaned back in his chair, refusing categorically.

"You need me there, without any back up-"

"I need you here with our daughter. Don't forget that for the world you are dead and I intend to keep it that way."

With lips pressed together Nikita was staring at their luckily unknowing daughter chewing her lion toy. As much as she knew Michael was right, she couldn't stand the idea of him going there alone. They'd used to be a team. They'd had each other's backs no matter what.

888

Maya wasn't happy with that answer. She glanced at her new toys and suddenly lost interest in them, pulling them aside with her little hand. She was sitting on the sand with lips pressed together, refusing to look at her mom.

Daddy's girl. Nikita sighed. She could have been really stubborn if she wanted to. Finally Nikita had to face an equal opponent in that matter.

"He will be back as soon as he can. Promise." She stroked her sleek curls thinking of something that will cheer Maya up. "How about we go home and bake some cookies?"

In a second her mouth opened with amazement, little hands clasped together " Cookies!"

Maya vigorously nodded her head yes, making her curls bounce. Nikita lifted her up in her arms. Lucky for them, Maya was as stubborn as she was venal.

888

"Where you going daddy?"

Michael felt his pantleg being pulled. Looking down he saw a curious face with big sparkling green eyes. Michael grabbed her below the armpits and lifted up.

"I need to go for a trip but I will be back before you notice. "

"We go with you"

Michael laughed. " I know you want to go with me but who will take care of Sammy then?" He nodded at the giant teddy lion on the couch. Maya's own little baby to take care of.

"He will miss you pumpkin."

"Will you miss me, daddy?"

"Of course I will. " Michael kissed her forehead trying to fight the fear that he might never see her again. He will be back. By all means.

With a corner of his eyes he noticed a figure at the door. Nikita was watching them, her lips pressed together, worry in her eyes.

He planted a big wet kiss on daughter's cheek which caused her giggle. "Take care of mommy, ok?" He whispered into her ear and put down on the floor.

He came closer to Nikita. She refused to look him in the eye, staring intensively at her feet.. Gently pulling her chin in his direction Michael saw the sadness and fear engraved on her face. As always, they felt everything told nothing. Standing in silence neither of them was ready for declaration. Promises they can't keep.

"5 days. "Michael smiled to her. " I will call you as soon as everything is settled, promise." He kissed her lips and rested his forehead against hers. Theirs breaths joined together.

"I love you." She said with the lump in her throat.

"I love you too. I'll see you soon."

She pushed down her emotions, stifled her tears, and forced her lips up into a smile.

"Soon."

888

Today was the ninth day and she still hadn't heard from him. But no one, more than herself knew, that missions rarely go as planned. Many times plan needs to be changed, adjusted to the circumstances.

He is going back. After everything they have been through, there was nothing that could tear them apart. Nikita held on to that thought in the dark sleepless nights, when the emptiness beside her seemed to be unbearable.

Her jeans pocket buzzed. Nikita took the phone out with trembling fingers, breath caught in her throat as she glanced at the screen.

"Meet me outside."

She gasped with relief feeling like someone would take off a giant weight off her chest. For the first time since she had watched him go away, Nikita could breathe easily.

She debated waking Maya up for a minute before deciding against it, it was a long and tiring day after all.

Standing on the porch with one hand on the door knob, she noticed a vague figure heading her way. Her lips pulled up in a smile, heart fluttered in her chest.

Running down the stairs, Nikita didn't tear her eyes of him with one hand covering her eyes from the blinding sun light, in other still grasping the cell phone tightly.

Was it that moment? Moment when they finally had their lives back, previously stolen by division? Moment when they can start over and be a normal family without any fears?

She was sure of it with each step that brought her closer to Michel. His figure was getting more vivid. He was not rushing though.

Nikita stopped confused watching him carefully.

He was more like walking slowly, forcing his legs to move forward against his will.

Phone fell limply out of her fingers into the soft sand when she saw him clearer. Unable to take a breath, she watched him coming closing to her. His lips pursed, face pale.

They say here, the sea is the mirror of a human soul. Even the slightest blow of the wind may destroy all the balance and the calmness, turning you into the raging ocean of fear.

Now she knew. Their fairy tale had an end. Right here, right now it crashed like a wave against the rocks leaving nothing but a memory of what could have been.

With heart stuttered in her chest, Nikita felt nothing anymore. Frozen to the spot, she tried to catch a breath, force her lungs to cooperate but her body was numb.

The man heading her way, just few meters apart was Birkhoff. Alone.

Little bit evil?

Veeeeery evil ;) Till the next time!