MIKITA IN A DIFFERENT STORY

(Disclaimer: I do not own the show Nikita or its characters.)

This was a product of my imagination, with all my favorite characters in one story with Nikita and Michael as its main characters. The songs included were all my favorites from my favorite singers/bands.

(Thanks for the appreciation of my new story. Hoping you'll join me until the very last chapter. Review and relate to others.)

Singing for a Second Chance

"Amanda please, I'm begging you. I can handle other artists that you handle. Please not just Mr. West." Nikita pleaded. She was in Amanda's office.

"Why, what's wrong? I thought we already talked about this." Amanda answered.

"Yes. I just can't handle him." Nikita responded.

"Nikita, do you know him? What makes you too paranoid about him?" Amanda asked.

"I don't like him. I do. I really don't like him. Please give me all the projects that you're handling now not just him." Nikita continue to plead.

"I just can't give you that and you know it. I gave him to you because he was special, a very important asset. I want you to focus on him. I don't mind if you hate him Nikita. This is business." Amanda raised her voice.

"Do I have another choice?" Nikita asked.

"I'm sorry Nikita. We have talked about this and we will stick on what was planned already. Besides you have turned over your job to Alex. We just have to stay that way." Amanda answered.

Nikita has no choice but to do her job. She wanted to quit and just go home but she has gone this far to give up. She was already in IMP for more than 10 years. She started as a secretary and now she's a head's executive assistant. She already spends lots of sacrifices and perspiration just to be at her place now. Amanda was retiring and she is one of the candidates to take her part. There's no way she's going to give up just for the father of her daughter.

"Hey big girl, why are you so upset?" Alex asked seeing her BFF at the rooftop.

Nikita walks towards Alex and hugs her. "My nightmare has come true." She cried.

"Hey, what nightmare? Stop crying." Alex taps her BFF back to ease her pain.

"I'm going to confess to you something. It's about a secret I've kept from this company for three years already." Nikita starting to reveal about her past.

"What is it? You make me nervous Nikita. I thought we have an agreement that we will never keep secrets from each other." Alex responded.

"I know and I'm so sorry. Alex, I'm already a mother to a 2 years 10 months 3 days little girl. Her name is Denise." Nikita exposed.

Alex was surprised by the revelation of her BFF. "I'm already an aunt? Why did you not tell me about her? Why did you keep it to yourself? Nikita I'm your best friend just to remind you." She screamed.

"I don't know what to do those times and felt ashamed because it was because of a one night stand. I'm really sorry. I just can't keep it much more now." Nikita felt sorry for not trusting Alex.

"I don't understand why you're telling me this now. Nikita you should have not felt that way towards me. You've been there accepting my weaknesses. I can do the same to you. You should have trust me." Alex replied.

Nikita walks towards her BFF. "I know that I should have trust you. I'm sorry." She said and hugs her friend.

"Well it's there already. When will I'm going to meet my niece?" Alex asked.

"Soon." Nikita answered.

"What's the connection of your daughter to your nightmare? Well, who is the father by the way?" Alex asked again.

"He's in the building now." Nikita sits on the bench.

"Who is he?" Alex was very curious.

"He's our new artist, Michael West." Nikita replied.

"OMG. Does he know about Denise?" Alex asked.

"No. He can't even remember me." Nikita answered.

"What do you plan now? Nikita you'll be with him for the rest of his career. Unless if you quit now. But you will do that right?" Alex said.

"I don't know. All I want is my daughter. I don't care about him. I have no plan to neither tell him nor let him remind about that night. It's just that he will be going to be part of my life now. I can't give up what I am now just to get rid of him. Tell me Alex, what will I do?" Nikita held Alex's hand.

"It's complicated. You just have to let things happen. Be her boss and just like that. You know I'm no good in giving advices because that's your line. Just be it. He's here and you're going to handle him. You know what, it's like you were destined to each other because of all recording company he can apply to, he applied here in IMP and you're the one to handle him. Funny but thrilling, isn't it?" Alex comforted Nikita.

"I don't know." Nikita replied and her phone rings. "Yes?" She asked.

"Mr. West is here at the recording studio waiting for you." The other line informed her.

"Okay. I'll go there now." Nikita stood up and hanged her phone. "Let's go. Mr. Fix Me is already waiting for me at the studio." She added.

Nikita was thankful for having Alex. They've been BFF since Alex started as a casual in IMP. She was her person. She was very guilty for not telling Alex about Denise. Maybe she was not ready and seeing Michael again made her reveal her secret. She was happy because Alex did not take it as a big deal.

Your love's a gathered storm I chased across the sky

A moment in your arms became the reason why

And you're still the only light that fills the emptiness

The only one I need until my dying breath

And I would give you everything just to

Feel your open arms

And I'm not sure I believe anything I feel

And now, now that you're near

There's nothing more without you

Without you here

And I'm trying to believe

In things that I don't know

The turning of the world

The color of your soul

That love could kill the pain

Truth is never vain

It turns strangers into lovers

And enemies to brothers

Just say you understand

I never had this planned

And now, now that you're near

There's nothing more without you

Without you here

Without you here

There's nothing more without you

Without you here

"So how was that?" Michael asked Nikita who's listening outside the recording room.

Nikita was thinking blankly. She was really not listening to him.

"Excuse me, I'm asking you. How was that?" Michael asked the second time around.

Nikita was brought to her consciousness back. "Are you talking to me?" She asked back.

"So you're not listening. Do you want me to sing again?" Michael replied and instructed the personnel to play back the track. Michael sings the song again.

Nikita felt a little ashamed and listens to Michael's voice while singing his song.

Michael finished the song. He went out of the recording room. "So how was it?" He asked.

"It's good. It's a job well done." Nikita all can say.

"Thanks. Well, if you don't mind can I ask you out for lunch? Amanda told me that you're going to be my manager. I guess it will be good for us to know each other more, am I right? Please don't get me wrong." Michael invites Nikita out.

"I don't know if I'm free this lunch." Nikita responded.

"I've checked with your secretary a while ago and she said you're free. Please, my treat." Michael smiled at Nikita.

"You're investigating my schedule." Nikita gave him a sarcastic smile.

"No. I just want to be sure." Michael responded.

"What if I turned down your invitation even if I'm free?" Nikita asked.

"Well, you're the boss. I won't complain if you don't like. It's just that, we will be working together and for us to be good with each other I need to know you. I want to know what are your rules and your expectations. It is why I won't to eat lunch with you, if that's okay." Michael explained.

Nikita was a little guilty about her treatment to Michael. "Okay. Wait for me at the lobby. I'm just going to get your papers and my things at my office." She said.

Nikita was so nervous seeing him. She doesn't know if she was happy because he can't remember her or felt disappointed because he did not recognizes her. Michael was really drunk that night. It could have been impossible for her to get pregnant but her fertility was just so healthy. She doesn't regret it and still thankful for what happened to them because of Denise. The only thing that complicates her life is Michael.

"Order anything you want." Michael gave Nikita the Menu.

"Thanks. Please give me a vegetarian meal, you best recipe." Nikita ordered.

Michael was a little surprise. "So you're a vegetarian. Well, can I have same order?" He said.

"Okay sir. Meals will be served for 15 minutes." The waiter replied.

"Okay let's start. You'll be guided by me in everything you do about your career. I don't care about your personal life. I just want you to be responsible enough in all your actions especially when it comes to your schedule. All meetings, gigs and endorsements will be based on me. I will make all the important activities for us to be able to sell your album." Nikita started to instruct Michael.

"Wait. Breath. So you own my time?" Michael asked.

"It's not like that. But if you really want this, you will let me manage your time. Not all Medias are available anytime you want to. I need to meet them and arrange everything for you to have exposure." Nikita answered.

"Is this means I have no life outside?" Michael asked again.

"I told you, you have a choice. But please I just want to inform you that this will be my first time to handle an artist career full time. I'm more on the arrangement etc. Amanda just asked me to focus on you because for her you're special. So please bear with me if you like your career to work. You can have your life just don't lose concentration on this." Nikita responded.

"Okay. I get it. So for Amanda I'm special. How about you?" Michael smiled at Nikita.

"Take this seriously and that's not part of my job to tell my opinion to you. You'll be signing contract after two days. So you have still time to go wherever you want to go because after the contract signing I own your time." Nikita was very serious.

"Yes boss. I never thought you were this serious type of person. This was good. At least I'm briefed already for what I will expect. I also want you to know that aside from being a singer, I'm also a bar owner. Actually my partner and I started to put up a branch here in Manhattan. So please also bear if I could have some complications in the future." Michael said.

"Noted. You just have to weigh things when you're in trouble." Nikita responded.

"Well thanks for that reminder, boss. Change topic. What are your likes and dislikes? I just want to know my limits." Michael asked.

"I think that's an out of line question. I just want you to really want this and be responsible. That will be good for the both of us." Nikita answered.

"Are you this serious?" Michael asked again.

"Look Michael, this field that you're about to going to is not a usual battlefield. If you don't take the opportunity given to you responsibly and seriously, you'll be left nothing." Nikita replied.

The waiter approaches the two and put their orders in the table. "Enjoy your food sir, ma'am." He said

"It looks delicious. So aside from being a vegetarian, what is your life outside the building of IMP?" Michael wants to know Nikita more.

"Is that a part of briefing you?" Nikita asked back.

"Common, Nikita. Okay. Well I start the ball rolling. I'm a 34 year old bachelor. I mentioned to you a while ago that beside of being a singer I'm also a businessman. Maybe I'm a romantic person because that is what they call to all singers especially composers. I have no one except my best friend at same time my business partner, Birkoff. I live in Ohio and just transfer at the Epic apartment. I'm not a vegetarian like you and I love women who are serious type. It's very challenging for a type of person who is easy go lucky like me. Can you be my boss and my friend too?" Michael responded and gave Nikita a wink.

Nikita wants to keep her silence from what was Michael revealed to her. She can't believe this is happening to her. He is just like the person she met three years ago, an interesting person. She can't find a way to get mad on him.

"Hey, I know that I'm handsome and you don't have to stare at me that way for me to recognize it." Michael teases.

"I'm not staring at you and you're not handsome." Nikita gave him a sarcastic smile.

"Okay then, you were the first person who told me that. Can we be friends?" Michael insisted.

"Are you really this kind of person?" Nikita asked.

"Why? Do you know something about me?" Michael asked back. "Nikita I just want you to be my friend. Not only as my boss because I trust more of my friends than of my colleagues. For us to be in good rapport I need to trust you and you need to trust me." He added.

"Okay. I apologize for being rude to you. I can be your friend." Nikita replied.

"Friends." Michael offered Nikita a hand shake.

Nikita took Michael's hand for a hand shake and nodded.

"So can I know you more?" Michael in his earnest looks.

"As you observed, I'm a serious type of person. I spend my day according my planner. So don't ever mess with that because I will become your worst nightmare." Nikita responded.

"I'm scared." Michael laughs. "Where do you live?" He asked.

"Why? Are you going to visit me?" Nikita teases.

"Well, I would love too." Michael replied.

"You're unbelievable." Nikita took a sip of her juice.

"I'm just kidding. I just want to know it. Would that be wrong?" Michael asked.

"Next question." Nikita answered.

"Are you single and available?" Michael became interested.

Nikita laughs. "I'm not going to answer that. She said.

"You don't have to because I know you're still single." Michael responded.

"Why do you say so?" Nikita asked.

"Well just a wild guess based on you being a serious type of woman." Michael smiled at Nikita.

"Fine. Yes you're right. I'm single but not available. I'm already living my life for someone." Nikita was talking about her little angel.

"That's good having someone to live your life for." Michael became serious.

"Did I mention something wrong?" Nikita asked.

"None. I just remember my life before just like yours." Michael reminiscing his past with Jamie.

The two enjoyed talking especially Michael for teasing Nikita.

"Can I have your mobile phone?" Michael took Nikita's phone without waiting for her permission and took a picture of him using Nikita's phone. He saves his number. "There you go." He said giving back Nikita's phone.

"This could infect my mobile with virus." Nikita teases.

Michael laughs. "My turn. Hey look." He said pointing at something and took a side view picture of Nikita.

"You can be arrested for that." Nikita smiled at Michael.

"Thanks Nikita for going out with me and for accepting to be my friend. Now, I trust you." Michael smiled back.

Nikita felt a little joy seeing Michael again despite of being so nervous for the first time she saw him at her office. He's really an interesting man. Same way with Michael, the first time he saw Nikita in her office was very unnatural for him. Well he could get mingle with a lady easily, but Nikita was different. She's very simple in her business attire and very serious. It challenges him. He felt good that they were friends now. Honestly, he admits that offering her friendship was the hardest part of his day.

Michael was offered a two year contract under IMP. The signing of contract was held peacefully. Nikita was so busy for making the plans for Michael's album launch. She did not attend the signing of contract. Birkoff supported his friend and attended the big day.

"Hey what are you doing here?" Alex asked.

"Just breathing. Maybe the signing of contract was through already. I'm already packed up with the album launch. I have so many things in mind and I need to breath." Nikita answered.

"Then breath. I've heard that you went out for lunch two days ago. Is that messing your mind?" Alex was curious.

Nikita tried to compose herself. "Alex what will I do?" She's befuddled.

"You fell in love with him the first time you saw him, am I right?" Alex asked.

"Of course not." Nikita answered.

"So why are you acting like that? You know, you should instruct your eyes to learn how to lie." Alex knew her BFF was denying.

"I can't get mad at him." Nikita shouted at Alex.

"You can't get mad because he's done nothing wrong to you. Nikita, he never knew about Denise." Alex walks towards Nikita and held her hands. "Maybe it's faith that brought him here. It's your choice, to tell him or not. But he has the right and Denise has also right for that. You can't get rid of him for two years and seeing through your eyes, I know you never failed to remember him." She added.

"I don't want him to know about Denise. I'm scared. What if he can't accept it or he will get Denise from me? Denise is my life and I can't afford to have complications in our life. We were happy without him." Nikita hugs Alex.

"So be it. If you don't like to reveal it to him then be it. What's the big deal then?" Alex moved away from Nikita and looks in her eyes.

"I wanted to fix him the first time that I saw him." Nikita cried.

Alex hugs her friend again. "Oh my God. Just let it out. Nikita it's not a sin falling in love with someone else especially to the father of your child." She comforted her BFF.

"But we are totally strangers to each other. We're opposites 100%. Alex, you know that I planned for everything. I'm afraid of complications. I'm afraid to be hurt again that's why I always keep my distance." Nikita in tears.

"You need to free yourself from your own curse. Not all men are like Daniel who played with you through a bet. Forget that bastard." Alex not letting go of her friend's hands. She was talking about Nikita's past boyfriend, Daniel who was her first love and just played her heart through a bet and his lies until the day of their wedding supposed to be.

"I don't know if I could. All I know Alex, I'm really scared. I hate this feeling. I never forgot that night he wanted me to fix him." Nikita hugs her friend again.

"Things will be okay. You will be fine. Let things happen. Start yourself forgiving the past. About Michael, don't close you door for possibilities not only for you but especially for Denise. Be strong okay." Alex gave her pieces of advices Nikita.

Nikita thought he forgot everything about that night. The night she spent with Michael with all the enchanting moments they've shared. The moment Michael told her that he wanted her to fix him, which was engraved to her heart in that very moment. Maybe it was love at first sight or maybe she saw the sincerity in Michael's expressive eyes. All she was sure before was that she wanted to fix him.

"I was looking for you during the signing but they said you were very busy." Michael talking to Nikita at her office.

"I'm sorry. I was making arrangements for your album launch." Nikita replied denying.

"Well, this is for you." Michael handed to Nikita a bouquet of yellow tulips. "I just want to thank you not only for handling my career but most especially for the friendship." He added.

"Thank you." Nikita smiled.

"See you soon." Michael walked out.

Nikita cried once more seeing Michael walked away. Alex was right, she has no reason to be angry to him because he has no idea about their past. She just a little irritated because he still doesn't recognizes her.

"What do you think about the outcome bro?" Michael asked Birkoff. They're in Seymour Bar, their new branch.

"The place is cool and it's just two blocks away from our place." Birkoff answered.

"It's good that you like it. I guess Owen can take care of our business in Ohio. You know I can't take charge in here. So I need you here." Michael said.

"Okay. We've already talked about this. I'm happy for you bro." Birkoff taps his friend shoulder.

"Thanks." Michael drinks a glass of Martini.

"Thinking about Jamie?" Birkoff asked.

"Funny but no. I don't know after my rehabilitation, every time I drink a glass of Martini that woman in the bar always come in my mind. But I can't see her face in my imagination and all I know I need to stop drinking." Michael thinking about the curly hair woman in the bar, Nikita. "Did you tell Owen not to stop searching for her?" He said.

"You really can't get over that girl. It's been years already and still your searching for her." Birkoff replied.

"I just want to say thank you for keeping me companion that night and for caring even if she doesn't know me." Michael was touched of the way Nikita did not left him in the bar, drunk and lost.

"All I thought you want to thank her for the one night stand." Birkoff teases.

"Part of it, maybe." Michael seconded Birkoff's statement.

Michael was happy for at least he has moved on from his past slowly. Even if there are still times that he was at the corner thinking about Jamie. He can find his self writing songs for her. The night he spend time with the woman in the bar, was the start his life changes. It is the reason why he did not stop himself hoping that he could thank that woman one day.

(Upnext… Start of stardom. The friendship grows. Her feelings for him became more visible for her. He meets her at the bar once again, will it make him remember about the woman in the bar?)