Beauty and the Beast

by La Femme Fanatic
copyright (c) 1998

DISCLAIMERS: La Femme Nikita and its characters are the property of USA Networks, Joel Surnow, Warner Bros., etc. No copyright infringement intended, all rights reserved. Now, on with the story, such as it is:

Nikita hated spending Halloween on a mission. A dangerous arms dealer was supposedly coming to this costume party tonight. Section only sent Michael and Nikita, and the mission was to place a tracking device on the target. This way they could follow the target back to his weapon compound. This seems like an easy mission but the party was coming to an end and the target never showed up. But Nikita had managed to enjoy the night. She wore a classic Victorian outfit, which made her feel elegant. Michael was a magician, probably because the outfit came in black. They had danced together but Michael was cold, like usual. Ever since the Gemstone incident, Michael keep a distance between them. He thought she would be canceled and he didn't want to get in the line of fire.

"He's not going to come. I'm going to report in,  stay here just in case." Michael didnt even wait for a response, he just turned and left. The primary mission had failed. But why did he have to take it out on her???

Nikita didnt want to go back to Section but Michael had left her all alone, again.

A man dressed in black with a carnival mask walked up to her.

"Would you like to dance?" was what he said but the mask muzzled his voice.

"No, thank you."

"Are you still his slave???"

"What did you say?" She was hoping that his voice was still being muzzled.

"I worked very hard to organize this meeting tonight, please say you remember me."

"Jurgen...How...Oh my god...." Nikita froze as memories of her lost companion flooded her mind. Jurgen took her hand and lead her out of the room and into a empty balcony.

Nikita rushed into his arms and cried tears of joy. She began to murmur, "I'm not his slave, I'm not his...."

"Nikita, what are you saying?"

"Im not Michael's slave. You should see how much I have grown. I lead my own missions and I even almost took down Section." Nikita blushed and worried if she was making any sense.

"I know," smiled Jurgen.

"How do you know?.....Wait....Where have you been???" Nikita began to become impatient. She was afraid this was a dream and she wanted to know how this was possible.

"It's a long story."

"Start talking."

"When Adrian and Operations struggled for control of Section, I was on Adrian's side. When she lost, Operations could not kill me because the situation was so intense that all his moves were being reviewed by Oversight. So he decided to humiliate me. I had Michael's job but he decided to make me Spec Ops and hide me in the corner of Section. When he gave Michael my job, I hated both of them. I was more qualified and more trained for that position, they gave it to him because they knew it would hurt me the most. Michael was one of my favorite trainees. He wasn't always this cold, cruel, you know, the power of my position changed him. But I was sick and tired of being Operations' punching bag, that's why I got incriminating evidence against him. So I could have a better life. But I still was not happy, so when Adrian connected me to stopping Operation's Gemstone mission, I was more than willing to help her."

"Oh no, what have I done..." Nikita interrupted him and she started to cry.

"Nikita, no, I understand why you did what you did. You tried to stay objective and keep the future in mind. Adrian and I were just filled with anger and wanted vengeance. Even though our version of Gemstone might still happen, we did accomplish something, Oversight and the Agency know about Gemstone with Adrian being caught so they will be watching Operations very carefully."

"I still dont understand how you made it out of the building?"

"The plan was after the timer jammed,  I would go inside the building, down to the basement and get out through this tunnel that had been dug for me. It seemed easy. Michael hated me because of our relationship so I thought he would immediately send me into the building. I never expected him to be suicidal. I took too much time trying to stop Michael going inside that  I didnt make it out on time."

Nikita wanted to comfort him but he wouldnt let her touch him.

"I was severely injured and scarred, that's why I havent taken off my mask. I spent many months in a hospital healing and having reconstructive surgery, but there was only so much they could do," said Jurgen as he tried to avoid looking at her in the face.

"Jurgen, what matters is that you're alive. I dont care what you look like."

"Adrian was understanding too. The reason why I was not caught is because Adrian's group didnt know I was among them. The few people who saw me, could not recognize me because of the scars and I know Adrian would never give me up to them. I'm free now but it came with a huge price. Not only the scars but a life without you. I lied when I said that I could grow to live without you. You will always be a part of my life. But things are so different. Nothing worked out as I planned. But I have given my life a new meaning. I have a contact in Oversight and I'm going to Iran to do whatever I can to stop Gemstone from becoming a reality. I had to see you before I left and tell you what happened. I arranged this meeting tonight. I leaked Intel to one of their contacts that someone they  wanted would be here tonight. I took a chance that they would send you."

"I want to see you too, please take off your mask," said Nikita

"No!"

"Please, I wont hurt you."

Jurgen slowly removed the mask. He was scarred but he was not ugly to Nikita. She kissed him and held her hands to him face. She wanted her touch to say all the things she couldnt.

But their moment was interrupted.

Michael walked in the room. "Kita, sweetheart, we have to be go home now, my parents can't wait to hear what happened tonight. Oh excuse me, great costume, the scars really look real." Michael didnt recognize him. He looked at Nikita and motioned for her to leave the room.

Jurgen and Nikita held hands for as long as they could as she walked out of the room. 

Nikita looked back and he was gone. Jurgen was off to save the world. She knew that someday they would see each other again.

THE END