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Date Posted: 15:25:14 01/01/08 Tue
Author: Mary
Author Host/IP: cpe-72-224-142-55.maine.res.rr.com / 72.224.142.55
Subject: Characters & Shadows - Chapter 25``
In reply to: Mary 's message, "Characters & Shadows - Cont." on 15:23:40 01/01/08 Tue

Chapter 25

She was so tired that she could hardly keep her eyes open and her head was pounding. Madeline was continuing to talk about the latest scene that they were working on and Nikita was really trying to follow what she was saying and the advice that she was giving but things just weren’t making sense.

Then she heard a voice that she didn’t expect. Michael had walked into the theater office where Madeline and Nikita were working. She was shocked at his unexpected appearance and the bluntness of his words as he immediately addressed Madeline, “What the hell are you doing here today?”

Madeline stiffened and her eyes were not kind as she replied, “We have been working some scenes for a few hours. I don’t have to explain myself to you Michael.”

“You do if it puts Nikita at risk. This is her only day off and you can see how exhausted she is. Everyone can see it.”

Madeline shot back, “You of all people know what it takes to make it in this business. Days off are not always a luxury that Nikita can afford.”

“And you know that you can only work people so hard until they break. Do I need to remind you of Simone?”

Madeline froze as the name hung in the air. “That was cold Michael, even from you. And that has nothing to do with Nikita.”

Nikita had enough of their bantering like she wasn’t even there. “Will you both please just stop it.” Her strength of voice surprised even she. “I’m sitting right here.”

Michael went to her side and noticed immediately the dullness in her eyes, “I’m sorry Nikita. I didn’t mean to make it seem that way. But why are you here?”

“Madeline called and said I needed work on my projection. We’ve been working on it.”

Michael took in the deep circles under Nikita’s eyes and the way her hand trembled as she held the pen in her hand marking the script. She was exhausted, he knew she had a terrible headache, and she needed rest and he was going to make sure she got it.

“Her projection is fine Madeline and you know it.”

But Madeline stood her ground, “It’s better now than it was before. You know that this theater has tricky acoustics. It has to be perfect.”

Nikita quietly asked, “But you do think I am getting better?”

Michael hated that she was seeking approval so desperately but he tried to keep that anger under control. He wanted to take care of her, not scare her even further.

“Today was an … improvement. We still have a long way to go.” Madeline pointed her statement directly at Michael.

Michael looked at Nikita and saw how pale she was. He had enough, “Well today is over Madeline. I’m sure you’ve been at this long enough for now.”

Nikita wasn’t sure, if Madeline wanted to keep working she didn’t want to disappoint her. But Michael seemed very upset also and she didn’t like that either. “Madeline did you want to continue? I’ll stay.”

“No. I think we’re done.” Then she looked over Nikita’s head to Michael, “We don’t want to overwork you, go home and get some rest.”

“I’m taking you home.” Michael tone brokered no argument. The way Nikita was feeling she didn’t really feel like driving home anyway, her head hurt so much, it was actually a huge relief to her to have Michael here. When she stood she realized that the rest of her body was stating to ache too. The pain was like a wave and she swayed slightly with the power of it as it made her head swim a bit and her world tilted.

Michael immediately noticed her distress and his arms caught her as her knees started to give way under her. Madeline was on her other side right away. They eased her back down into the chair.

Michael now down on one knee next to her brushed her hair back from her face and realized that she felt quite warm, “Nikita, we’ve got you, it’s all right. Madeline could you get some water for her?”

The other woman grabbed the water bottle that was on the table and poured some into a cup and handed it to Michael. He placed it in Nikita’s hand and helped her to take a drink. He continued to soothe her as he laid back against the back of the chair.

Her eyes blinked and she opened them noticing that the room was no longing spinning and her heart wasn’t beating as fast, “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened to me.”

Michael tenderly stroked her pale face, “No need to be sorry. We’re just worried about you.”

She took a deep breath and ran her hand through her hair pulling it back form her face, “I’m ok now. Just embarrassed.”

Madeline was really worried by now though, “Maybe you should just stay there and rest for a few moments.”

“No really please. I just want to go home.” She knew she was so very close to whining and she didn’t really care. She just wanted her head to stop hurting so much.

Michael gently kissed her cheek and whispered to her, “I’ll take you now. We’ll just move slowly.”

He helped her to her feet and Madeline retrieved her coat and gloves and quickly got her sniggled in the warmth. Madeline then took her other arm as she and Michael helped the shaky Nikita out of the theater and to Michael’s car sitting just outside.

Although it was early still the first snowfall of the season had already begun in just the short time that Michael had been inside. He told Nikita, “Just give me a moment to brush off the windows.”

Madeline had waited for Michael, “I really thought that I was helping her today.”

Michael’s anger would get hi in trouble if he let it go. He had found out way too much today and he needed time to process it all and try to figure out what was really going on with the people around him that he thought he could trust. “I do not want to talk about this right now.”

Her guilt and worry about her star pushed her on, “But I really need to tell you….”

She shouldn’t have kept pushing, “Enough! Everyone else could blatantly see that Nikita is exhausted. Something is very wrong. But you still call her anyone on her only day off and make her come out in this cold to work. And do not tell me you were doing it for her own good.”

Michael was furious now and worried out of his mind about Nikita, “We will talk about this. But not now. Now I am going to take care of her. And don’t think of calling either of us.”

With that Michael got back in the car and drove off leaving Madeline standing in front of the theater stunned.

Once at Nikita’s building Michael quickly helped her inside. She had almost fallen asleep just on the short drive to her place she was so tired. Once in the apartment Michael helped her change out of her clothes then put her in bed.

“I’m going to get you juice and Tylenol for that headache. I’ll be right back.”

She wanted to protest that she could take care of herself but she was too tired to even try. He came back right away and she took the pills.

But then she remembered, “If I fall asleep you need to wake me by 7:00.”

Michael stroked her hair back and took in her exhausted and hollow eyes, “You need the rest Nikita. I’ll wake you for some dinner if you want, but then right back to sleep.”

No, she thought. That won’t work she had to go to work at the diner. Tips hadn’t been great since she was the new girl and she knew that she needed every minute on the clock possible in order for her to pay her rent that would come due in a couple weeks. Of course she couldn’t tell Michael any of that. “Just, please, please wake me by 7:00”.

“All right, I promise.” He lightly kissed her forehead, once again noting that she felt warm. The Tylenol should help with that if there is any fever. But he needed to get her to see a doctor and soon. At least she would get a couple hours sleep before he woke her for dinner. That might help also.

“I’ll be right downstairs if you need anything. Just call.” He said as he turned to go down to the living room.

“Michael.”

He turned back, “Yes?”

“You don’t have to stay, I’ll be fine.”

“I’d rather stay and take care of you. Go to sleep. It’s ok.” He continued down the steps.

As she turned to sleep, her exhaustion pulling her to sleep, she knew there was something she was forgetting. But she was too tired to think about it as she fell into a deep sleep.

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