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
Once upon a time
I used to romanticize
Used to be somebody, never mind
Don't miss it that much now
I think it's sinking in
Days that I wonder where I've been
In picture perfect porcelain
But I won't lose a pound
You say I would make a better liar
And never face the music when it's dire
And I breathe disaster, ever after
Don't pull away from me now
Don't you move
Can't you stay where you are, just for now
I could be your perfect disaster
You could be my ever after
You could be my ever after, after all
I could be your perfect disaster
You could be my ever after
"Well that's a fresh song from a new artist Mr. Michael West. If you want to hear more of his songs, his album will be officially out next month. Thanks Mr. West for visiting us here." The DJ said.
"Thanks for having me here." Michael replied.
"You're welcome bro. Ladies and gentleman, once again Mr. Michael West." The DJ presented Michael.
Michael stardom has started. Radio stations visits and recording his songs for his album to be launched next month. He also performs on stage. Nikita tripled her job just to accommodate him and not to fail Amanda's expectations from her. It was good that Michael is a good follower and a good friend. He listens to her and she loves that about him.
"So where is our next spot?" Michael asked Nikita. They were walking at the Central Park.
"You'll be interviewed in 95.7 FM tomorrow. I can't be with you there for some important reasons." Nikita answered.
"Okay. Well that's bad. You have a date?" Michael asked again.
"I have no dates because I don't do that. Just excuse me for this okay." Nikita hides the real reason from Michael. She will accompany Denise for her monthly check-up.
"Okay. But can you please, don't book your Friday night. You own my time and please spare a little time of yours to me. Would that be okay?" Michael smiled at Nikita.
"Is this a sort of trade?" Nikita asked back.
"Sort of. To get it straight, Seymour bar will be opening on Friday. I want you to be there. You're my friend right? It would be fair for me if you will support me the way I support you by accepting your reason why you can't attend my interview tomorrow. That's were friends for." Michael teases Nikita.
"Early congratulations for another bar to open. You're such a demanding person." Nikita gave Michael a sarcastic smile.
"Look who's talking. These past weeks, you've been ordering me to be early always in all the meetings you set up for me. You're more demanding than I." Michael replied. They have been working hard together being Nikita as the strict boss especially when it comes to Michael's time.
"Am I doing this for me Mr. West?" Nikita asked.
"Oh I almost forgot. You are doing this for me. Nikita, I know and I thank you for being the best manager. But I'm not talking to you as my manager. I'm talking to you as my friend. Please I need you be there on Friday." Michael pleaded.
"Okay. I'll attend. Maybe I could also invite prospects for your endorsement." Nikita replied.
"That's a good idea for as long that you'll be there." Michael unintentionally puts his arms in Nikita's shoulder.
"Uhmm." Nikita walks away from Michael.
"I'm sorry. I was carried away by my happy thoughts. Thank you. I'll be expecting you on Friday." Michael gave Nikita a wink. "You want ice cream? There's an ice cream house there. Don't you worry it will be my treat." He added just to ignore the feeling of awkwardness on his actuation.
"You're such a kid." Nikita smiled back and walked with Michael at the ice cream house. "Are you really this kind of person?" She asked.
"Now you're interviewing me." Michael answered.
"I think that's a simple question." Nikita responded.
"Maybe I was. Nikita what you see is what you get. I don't want you to see what's behind me. I'm just happy with the way I'm living now." Michael said with a sad look in his eyes. He doesn't want Nikita to see his dark past and he also doesn't want to look again on that part of his life.
"I'm sorry. I just find you so childish and easy go lucky man. I'm just wondering who you really are." Nikita remembering that Michael was a broken man and now he is very different from the guy she met in the bar.
"Nikita?" A guy was surprised seeing Nikita.
"Sean. Hey you look so different." Nikita walks towards Sean.
Sean hugs Nikita. "You're big girl now and you look great always. How are you?" He asked.
"Come sit with us." Nikita invited Sean. "Michael this is Sean. Sean meet our new artist, Michael." She introduces.
"Nice meeting you. I'm just going to order ice cream for us." Michael offered and left the two to give them the chance to mingle.
"So were you transferred here?" Nikita asked.
"Yes. I'm a head officer now at the Division Ads. How about you?" Sean replied.
"I'm still me." Nikita laughed. "Nothing has change. It's been 5 years already since you left me here." She added.
"Yeah. I was surprised. I was going to visit you tonight in your apartment but it's good that I see you now. I've got so many things to tell you. Maybe we could spend time later." Sean smiled.
Sean was like a brother to Nikita. He was a childhood friend. They went to same school and part ways when he was assigned to L.A.
"Here's your ice cream." Michael said.
Nikita smiled.
"Thanks. You are grateful to have my friend as your manager. She's kind and down to earth person." Sean appreciates his friend.
"Oh I don't know that." Michael smiled.
"So you don't know?" Nikita gave Michael a mad look.
"I'm just kidding. Yes I am blessed to have her. She's very understanding." Michael unintentionally put his hand on hers. "Oops, I did it again. I'm sorry." He added.
"So Nikita how's mom and dad?" Sean asked.
"They're okay. Let's visit them together some other time." Nikita answered.
Sean's phone rings. "Excuse me, I need to take this." He said.
"He's calling your parents as mom and dad? Do have something in the past? Is he the one you're talking about living your life for?" Michael was very curious.
"Now you're interviewing me." Nikita smiled.
"Okay. So I am interviewing you. For curiosity sake, you know." Michael responded.
"He is a childhood friend and he is very close to my family." Nikita said.
Michael shook his head.
"What? Why are you shaking your head?" Nikita asked.
"I'm sorry. People find you so kind." Michael answered.
"And you don't?" Nikita asked again.
"That's not what I mean. Admit it or not, the first time you saw me, you were mean. The time that you have accepted to be my friend, it is where I realize that your kind." Michael replied.
"What's your point?" Nikita put down her spoon and put her ice cream in middle of their table.
"Please don't do that. I'm sorry. Honestly, I'm just quite jealous on how you treat other people especially him. Why are you so mean to me?" Michael turns to ask.
"Being mean and being strict is two different stories. I'm not mean to you. I'm just strict and have my distance." Nikita replied.
"Why? Are you afraid to fall in love with me? Well I can't blame you for that." Michael smiled at Nikita.
"You're ridiculous. You're not my type. Never will I fall for you. Marked that." Nikita gave Michael a closer look.
"Maybe I can do that by using an invisible marker. Your eyes says different thing from what you are saying." Michael moves his face near Nikita's face.
Nikita move away. "I don't know what you are saying." She denied. Her hearts beats fast. She wanted to tell it, if he only knew he had her the first time they met.
The three spend time at the ice cream house. Michael felt a little out of place with the two. He was happy to know something about Nikita through Sean's stories. She was serious but a very loving person, that's what Sean has shared. Michael could have excuse himself from the two but his eagerness to know Nikita more made him stay. Same with Nikita, she tries to change the topic when Sean was talking about her because she can see that Michael was happy when Sean was taking about her. He was right; she was rude when it comes to him. She was avoiding falling for him even more. So she needs to keep her distance from him.
"Good morning to all my listeners. Today we have a special guest Mr., Michael West. Good morning Michael." Ryan, the DJ.
"Hey, Ryan. Good to be here." Michael responded.
"I know you're new to the business. Gossips are everywhere. We heard some of your songs already and it was good. Feedbacks were good. Here's the thing, when you are starting to climb, you can't stop also others to pull you down." Ryan said.
"I know and I think I'm ready for that." Michael laughed.
"Is it true that you went to psycho therapy and rehabilitation?" Ryan asked.
"I really thought that would come up. But to tell you the truth, yes. Three years ago, I had undergone several psychological therapies and rehabilitation for alcohol. I was lost and broken those times that's why I need to fix me. Now I'm back on my feet." Michael started to be serious.
"May we know the reason?" Ryan asked again.
"Did you not research for it?" Michael smiled. "Just kidding. Okay, to set things straight. I'm trying to move on from the part of my life where I have love and lost the most beautiful and important woman in my life. She was my wife for five years and I've lost her to cancer. Life must go on as they say." Michael was teary eyed.
"That's very brave of you my friend. You see people, it's very grateful for him to experience his downfall before the stardom than experiencing it when he is already at the pedestal." Ryan shakes hands with Michael.
Michael felt gloomy with the incident. He prepared himself for that but still making the memories fresh again made him feels so down.
Nikita heard everything in the clinic where she brought Denise. She was with Michelle also. Tears fell from her eyes hearing those things from Michael. She never thought how broken he was.
"Everything okay?" Michelle asked.
"I'm okay mom." Nikita showed Michelle a fake smile.
Nikita carried Denise and kiss her in her forehead. "Mama loves you so much." She cried.
"I love you too mama. Stop crying." Denise hugs her mom.
Nikita couldn't hide the pain she feels. All she can do is to get strength from her daughter Denise who has been her hero every time she feels lonely and sad. Before going home, Nikita and Michelle let Denise play in the China Town Park.
"Who is he?" Michelle asked.
"What?" Nikita asked back.
"The man behind that voice." Michelle replied.
"I was going to tell you mom. He is Denise father, Michael. I'm his manager. He signed a contract two weeks ago in our company and Amanda instructed me to manage him." Nikita said.
"Are you hurt of what you've heard? All I thought it was just a night." Michelle said.
"Yeah. He even doesn't remember me. But Mom, I never failed to remember him not only because of Denise." Nikita cried and leaned in Michelle's shoulder.
"You love him the first time you see him. It was a love at first sight." Michelle was sad for her daughter.
"He told me that he was broken and I was attracted to him. I never thought what he has been through and I don't where are we going to end. I don't know what to do. I never forgot the feelings that I have for him especially now. I'm afraid." Nikita cried out loud.
"Nikita, you can face this. I know you're a strong woman. I know, you know what is right for you and for Denise. If you will manage him for two years than let it be. Know him more and who may think that end up with each other. I can't get mad at him because he doesn't know anything especially regarding Denise. I don't have the right to judge him. We decided to keep Denise from him. We never know what would have been his reaction if we have look for him and told him that you are pregnant with his baby. I can't get mad. My concern now is the way you feel. If I'm going to advice, maybe telling him the truth would set you free. Take it step by step." Michelle hugs Nikita.
"I don't know if I can. What if he's still obsessed with his past? I don't know if I can accept that. Maybe it was the reason why in the very beginning I wanted to fix him for him to forget his past. I guess I will never going to make it because it was his life that was taken away from him." Nikita continues to cry.
"Let it out. Just cry. After this, try to think positively. You know, if meeting him once again won't mean anything then your pathways should have not cross once again. Remember that things happen for a reason." Michelle comforts her daughter.
"Thanks mom for being there and taking care of Denise. She grows lovely every day. She has his father's eyes and lips." Nikita smiled while watching Denise playing.
Nikita was thankful for having her mom, dad and Denise around. They were her strength. Now she's very confused on what to do about her feeling towards Michael. What if Michael was still in love with his past and can't move on from it? What if he can't accept Denise? What if he can't return the love she feels towards him? Many what ifs, she's very confused and afraid to fall again.
"So how's everything?" Michael asked Birkoff. He feels nervous for the opening of Seymour bar.
"Everything is okay bro. So you're ready?" Birkoff replied.
"Yeah. Let's just wait a little bit." Michael waiting for his guest, Nikita.
"Waiting for someone?" Birkoff asked.
"There's Alex. Come with me, I'll introduce you to her." Michael walks towards Alex. "Hey there. Where's Nikita?" He asked.
"Hey. She told me that we will meet here." Alex answered.
Thanks for coming. By the way, this is Birkoff. He is my business partner." Michael introduces.
Birkoff and Alex shake hands.
"Sean, you made it." Michael said upon seeing Sean walking towards them.
"Of course. Hey Sexy." Sean gave a wink to Alex.
"Do I know you?" Alex asked.
"No." Sean answered
"Well, I'm sorry. I don't talk to strangers." Alex smiled at Michael.
Michael laughed.
"Is it funny?" Sean asked.
"Nothing. I just think I remember something. Well Alex this Sean. Sean meets Alex. One more thing that's funny, you're both close to Nikita." Michael smiled at the two.
"You're Sean of my BFF. I'm sorry. Well I was taught not to talk to strangers." Alex offered a hand shake to Sean.
"Hi Alex. well I understand you because I was taught too." Sean refers to Nikita who always tell them not to talk to strangers. "Well here's the promoter." He said seeing Nikita walking towards them. She was in a simple black halter dress.
"Hey. I'm sorry I'm late. Michael, you might want to close your mouth." Nikita laughs.
Michael was embarrassed. Nikita caught him mesmerized by her beauty. "I was about to say hi." He tried to manage not to be notice by others. Seeing Nikita with the dress made him think about that lady in the bar. He could see Nikita's face in the shadow of the lady but he is not sure and definitely if it was Nikita, she could have already mentioned it to him. Besides, personality of Nikita is someone who is serious and not that easy go lucky like him.
"Well hello. Nice bar. The sponsors are sitting there. Come, I will introduce you to them." Nikita pulled Michael's hand and walks towards the sponsors.
The two joined the sponsors for some business conversations. Michael felt secured on his career because Nikita was a hardworking manager. She does everything. After the conversation they went back to their group and Michael went on the stage.
"Good evening everyone. I want to thank you all for coming and join us tonight in the opening of Seymour Bar. Birkoff and I were happy seeing you all. I hope this is just a beginning of everything. Tonight I'm going to sing two songs. First, is for the person who helped me with my career and guiding me to be who I am now. Birkoff, thank you bro. you never failed me. To my manager, Nikita I'm glad and blessed to have you not only as my boss but as a friend. This song is for you guys."
It's like I never lived
Before my life with you
So much was missing here
I never even knew
I still picture the place we were
When I fell into your world
My heart is in you
Where you go you carry me
I bleed
If you bleed
Your heart beats
Inside of me
You're keeping me alive
I don't know why feel this way
But something's right
You're like the morning air
Before the light arrives
No more lonely and
No more night
No more secrets to hide
"Nikita, you keep him alive." Alex smiled at Nikita.
"Maybe." Nikita smiled back and felt touched by Michael's song.
"The next song you'll be hearing is a song for my late wife, Jamie. I always remember you. You're always here." Michael touches his heart.
Here we go at it three years later
Will you help me to dream it all up again
Tired of the same song everyone's singing
Rather be lost with you instead
Don't you come around here
Come around here anymore
Dragging my fears
Dragging my fears
Out the door
All I have
All I have
All I have
Well, you know it's yours
Every breathe
Every step
Every moment
I'm looking for
All I have
All I have
All I have
Is yours
And you watch my heart break a little bit more
My heart break a little bit more
Michael was in tears singing his song. Nikita saw it. She was breaking inside seeing him so lonely and broke. While he was in tears, he caught Nikita's eyes which are also in tears. They communicate through their eyes. He was breaking because of his past and she was breaking for him.
"I need to go." Nikita walked out.
Sean stood up to follow Nikita but Alex stops him. "Just let her go." She said.
"She was crying and we will just let her go?" Sean replied.
"Sean you don't know what's happening to her." Alex holds Sean arm.
Sean removes Alex's hand from his arm. "That's the point. I don't know what is happening to her and I know she needs a friend right now. I left her for how 5 years. Now that I'm back, I'll make sure she'll be okay." He followed Nikita out.
Alex was little bit surprise about Sean's actuation. Yes, she was Nikita's BFF that's why she let her have the space she needed. She knew with Michael's words, it hurts her so much. But with Sean's reaction, maybe she was more than a friend to him.
"Nikita, are you okay?" Sean asked walking with Nikita in the streets.
"I'm okay. I just need to rest Sean." Nikita answered.
"No, you're not okay. Tell me." Sean insisted.
"Sean please." Nikita replied.
"Nikita stop pushing me away. You did that how many times already. All I thought leaving you would make you realize how much I mean to you." Sean said.
"What are you talking about?" Nikita asked.
"Until now Nikita, I was hoping that one day you'll need me. You will say that "I need you, please stay." I was hoping for that. You know how I feel towards you. So please Nikita." Sean answered. He was in love with Nikita but she was very transparent on how she feels towards him. She only sees him as a brother. Maybe because she was brief that he was her brother by her parents and that she cannot feel any attraction towards him. Sean left her not only because he was assigned in L.A. but also letting Nikita realizes that she loves him. Nikita never did.
"Sean, you're my best friend. You're a brother that I never had. I'm sorry." Nikita responded.
"Why?" Sean cried.
"I'm sorry but I value you more as my friend. I don't want to destroy that. You're my family. Remember we dream to built each other houses and have one backyard for your children and my children to play. I value that more." Nikita hugs Sean.
"So why are did you walked out?" Sean asked again.
"I love the man who was singing for his dead wife. I can't bear seeing him in so much pain." Nikita admitted.
"You love Michael? You only have met him recently. Now you're killing yourself in tears just for him." Sean responded.
"I know I'm stupid right. Spank me at my head so that I will wake up from this nightmare." Nikita instructed Sean. "You have so many things to know about me and Michael. I will tell you. Come with me tomorrow and spend the weekend in China Town." She added.
"That would be okay with me. I love you for being honest to me. Even giving a little hope you can't give because I know you don't want to hurt me. How I wish I could meet someone like you." Sean puts his arm around Nikita's shoulder.
"I know someone just like me and you met her a while ago. You want me to set up a date for you?" Nikita smiled. She was referring to Alex.
Sean laughs. "Okay." He said.
Sean understands Nikita. He doesn't see their friendship as Nikita does. In that moment, he realizes how much their friendship meant not only to Nikita but especially to him. If he could just realize that before, he could have not left her and stood by her side. Nikita in the other side was thankful for having her friend back. Sean was her backer not only in times of troubles but in time of sorrows. Now she has two persons, Alex and Sean.
"Where's Nikita?" Michael asked Alex.
"She went home." Alex answered.
"I saw her cried." Michael said.
"Yeah. But she's with Sean now. I think there's something between them. I need to do also." Alex asks permission.
"Alex, is she alright?" Michael still not in peace seeing Nikita cried.
"She'll be alright. If you only know." Alex was tight lip.
"Know, what?" Michael asked.
"Nothing. It was a great party." Alex answered.
"You're going Alex?" Birkoff asked.
"Yeah. I have no ride." Alex smiled.
"I'll take you home. " Birkoff offered. "By the Michael, I'll be right back and Owen called. It must be about the lady at the bar. After 3 years, finally he found her maybe." He added.
Alex was surprised hearing those words from Birkoff. She knew he was talking about Nikita. "Lady in the bar?" She asked.
"Yeah. My bro was looking for the lady in the bar that he met 3 years ago." Birkoff answered.
"Just ignore what he said. It's nothing. Birkoff take her home safely. Don't worry Alex he is harmless." Michael smiled at the two.
Birkoff and Alex left.
"Owen, you called?" Michael on the phone talking to Owen.
"Yes. I just want to congratulate you for the opening. One more thing, I have talked to the Hotel where the lady checked-in, they really don't want to unveil the details to me. But you know I have heard that it is a delegate from Recording Company. It is the only information that I have. I'm still courting the woman in charge at the Hotel." Owen said.
"Are you sure she's from a Recording Company?" Michael asked.
"Yes. I heard it from the bell hop." Owen answered.
"Thanks." Michael responded.
A woman from Recording Company. Could it be Nikita, a person who doesn't talk to strangers? But if she was the one, why she's mum about this? It can't be her. She's very different from the woman he met at the bar. She's sophisticated and Nikita was very conservative and serious type. It can't be her. It will just complicate things. Michael was very confused trying to remember the face of that woman. All she can see was Nikita's face in the shadow of that woman. Is she the one or he just wants Nikita to be the lady in the bar? Seeing those sad eyes, he knew she was in pain. He dialed Nikita's number. She was not answering. He left a voice mail. "Hey. You did not ask permission from me before going home. I hope everything is okay. Nikita, I'm just here." He said.
(((Up next… Nikita's reaction about Michael's searching for the lady in the bar. Michael trying to find out if that woman in the bar was Nikita. A future for Alex and Sean. Michael will encounter Denise' photo.)))