If you haven't noticed, I am TERRIBLE at keeping up updates! I am really sorry about that, but I hope this chapter is worth it. I promise you, I am working on Continued Nightmares now, and I have a new fanfic idea that is just waiting for me to write it! Anyway, this chapter is actually a pretty exciting one. ;)

Chapter 2: The Mission Isn't Over

It was silent as her body went limp and crumpled to the ground. Amanda's men rushed to her aid even though Nikita knew it was too late. Not even her friends breathed a word. The fuel from the hole in Nikita's heart that made her do this exact act was gone, but the hole was not. In fact, the hole may have stretched a little. It didn't feel like she had wanted it to, however, Nikita didn't waste time on her escape. She sprinted out the gates of the private house that Amanda had inhabited, leaving behind a part of her she once had admired: The person who had raised her to be who she was today. She hopped into the front seat of her Toyota and raced off toward her seedy motel to change her clothes.

Even with the police and everyone in the city searching for her, Nikita knew how to blend in and change her appearance. The picture they released on the news was so vague that it was easy to manipulate her image. Her hair no longer was a deep, dark brown; it was now an auburn color with light brown highlights. (Thanks to a wig store near by). Her clothes were lighter than usual and she wore designer shades. It was hard for her to recognize herself, for this look was definitely NOT something she preferred to wear everyday, but it had to do for now.

Nikita had no time for relief, for there was still one more part of the plan she needs to accomplish: Clearing her name. She knows that the Shop has nothing on her because Amanda wouldn't give them free information without getting something in return. And even then, Birkhoff would most likely figure it out before the media did. At least, that is what she hoped for. For this part, she really needs her family. They are her best allies, and she knows it. She doesn't want them to get hurt. Then a thought rushed into her mind.

"The ear piece," she smacked her head angrily, "Why didn't I think of that earlier." A question popped into her mind. How do I turn it on? She cleared her throat before beginning.

"Birkhoff? Michael? Alex? Can anyone hear me? If you can, I really want to know how this thing actually works. I mean, can you hear me all the time?"

"I can answer that question for you Nikki. We can hear you all the time. What we hear just depends on when my computer's on and we're near it," Birkhoff replied.

"When are you NOT at your computer," Nikita sarcastically said.

"Good point. Anyway, did you complete whatever you wanted to do 'cause I really want to actually get out of this chair, but MIKEY," he said louder than he had to, "is freaking out about you. So, when are you coming back?"

"Yeah, about that. I'm not coming back-"

"WHAT!? Yes you are-"

"No. I can't. If I do, I can't guarantee that you will all be safe. You KNOW I won't be able to live with that. Unless you all can clear my name with the snap of your fingers, I'm not coming back. Yet. This is the closest any of you will get to communicating with me okay?"

"But Nikki, Michael needs you, Alex needs you, Sonya needs you, hell, I need you. You're lucky Michael isn't here now to hear you talk like this."

"Where is Michael?"

"He umm…he…yeah, I'm gonna step out of this one, and leave it to you grown ups."

During this conversation, Nikita had parked her car in the corner of an abandoned parking lot with trees shading her to the point where the car was nearly invisible.

"Birkoff, where is he?" Nikita continued to call out, but there was nothing other than silence on the other end, "Damn it!"

Nikita shifted her gaze toward the end of the parking lot where a familiar black Kia entered.

"No. He didn't. Birkoff! You told him where I am!"

Just as Nikita began to pull out of her space Michael's car blocked her escape route. She was trapped. Michael turned off the car as he and Alex hurried out of their seats toward her. She too jumped out of the car.

"You two can't be here. I'm putting you both in danger. I need you to leave," Nikita stated trying to hide the emotions that threatened to surface.

"Okay Nikita. We'll go," Michael began.

"But you're coming with us," Alex finished. They both took a step toward a confused Nikita. Alex lifted up a needle close to her neck, but Nikita saw it coming and knocked the needle out of Alex's hand, resulting in stunned expressions on the two faces of her family.

"I told you that I'm not going to put you in danger!" she said in a sad yet commanding tone.

"We're not leaving here without you," Michael replied allowing Alex the time to retrieve the needle. Without looking at Alex, Nikita told her, "Alex, put it down." Michael threw a weak punch to distract Nikita as Alex swiftly plunged the needle into her skin before she could maneuver away from Michael's grasp. Her knees locked and her body slacked as he caught her swiftly in his arms.

They helped her to her feet and gave a shoulder to her for balance, leading her to the doors of the house.

"How are you feeling Ms. Amanda?" one of the men asked. She groaned before answering him with quite some effort.

"I've felt much better in the past, but she thinks I'm dead, so that makes it all worth while correct?" He opened his mouth to speak however, Amanda silenced him, "That was a rhetorical question." He closed it once more. Amanda stopped in the hallway before curtly saying, "Let go of me. I can walk." The two men exchanged glances and obediently let go.

The house was beautifully decorated with deep purple curtains covering every window, vases filled with flowers no one could name on top of glass or wooden tables, chandeliers with expertly crafted white jewels, a staircase leading up to the next two levels. And that was only the first floor. As Amanda, examined her new yet temporary home, she smiled.

"Now this is something I could get used to." Interrupting her thoughts came a familiar voice, "Amanda, how do you like the place?"

"Extravagant, ravishing. Do I need to continue?"

"Ahh. I'm glad you like it. Now," he clapped for emphasis, "down to business."

"Nikita."

"Nikita, wake up. Wake up."

She slowly opened her eyes but only saw the blurred images of her friends.

"I told you…." her words slurred, and the effort to speak was overwhelming. Nikita felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Everything's okay Nikita. It's all going to be okay. You're here now." It was Michael's voice.

"Nikita?" This time, it was Alex who spoke with a glass of water in her hand. To steady her vision, Nikita blinked several times and saw the water. Alex saw her gaze and handed it to her. Nikita eagerly accepted it before talking normally again.

"I told you all to leave. I'm nothing but a danger to you."

"And when have you ever listened to us Nikita?" Michael retorted.

"Nikita, please," Alex pleaded.

And the argument began.

So, what do you all think!? Huh? Who is Amanda talking to? Oh! And I need help. Who runs The Shop? I'm sorry! LOL! I totally forget and I don't know where to look! Review, Follow, Favorite, PM!