<b>Chapter 205</b> -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Returning to stand at Nikita's bedside, Walter swallowed a lump in his throat at the sight of his Sugar. Evidence of Nikita's torture was clearly prominent as she lay beneath the glare of the stark fluorescent lights that Belinda had switched on. His eyes travelled over her then up to the IV line shooting fluid into her body to aid her recovery. Everything that could have been done had been done. The two friends stood in silence for a few moments. Birkoff was lost for things to say and just stood by Nikita's bedside in quiet support. He cast a quick glance over to Walter for inspiration, but he merely shrugged his shoulders also not knowing what to do. In mutual agreement they came to the same conclusion � sometimes silence was the best option.

Nikita was in good care, nevertheless his voice still caught when he finally spoke to his buddy. Sounding like a concerned father he asked, "Any change?"

Birkoff looked at him; he could see the worry in Walter's face. "No � She's been asleep ever since I came in. I didn't have the heart to wake her."

Leaning down Walter smoothed the hair back from Nikita's forehead and softly whispered her name. "Nikita." He took hold of her hand and gently cradled it within his old wizened one. His thumb absentmindedly glided back and forth over her skin, his eyes were focused on her alone. She didn't respond, so Walter said her name once more. "Nikita?"

Suddenly she stirred and slowly opened her unwilling eyes. Awakening from her slumber Nikita felt woozy from the effects of the drugs she'd been given. A little confused, her surroundings blurred before her eyes. Not realising just where she was Nikita tilted her head back on the pillow. She then looked up to find a face gazing down at her with fatherly concern. When she saw who was standing next to her bed, Nikita focused her eyes on her friend. "Hey!" Her breathy response was followed by a tentative smile.

Walter smiled in return, the corners of his eyes creasing in pleasure at seeing her awake. "It's alright, Nikita. Try not to move."

Birkoff spoke to her as well. "It's nice to have you back. How are you feeling?"

Nikita moved restlessly on the bed. She turned her head in the direction of his voice, looked at Birkoff then turned her head away again. Suddenly a bolt of pain shot through her body. She sucked her breath in with an audible hiss and shut her eyes tightly. An unexpected rush of thoughts of what had happened to her and Michael at the monastery with Andy Koo entered her mind. Tears suddenly beaded on Nikita's cheeks and rolled down her face.

Walter saw her reaction to Birkoff's innocuous question and chipped in with his own request for information. "Are you okay, Sugar?"

Noticing her tears he gently brushed them away. "It's okay ... the pain and memories will be gone soon." He fluffed her pillows to make her more comfortable.

Nikita was thankful for Walter's kindness and the few seconds to compose herself. "Oh, I'll live," she finally replied adjusting her position and gingerly sitting up a little more in the bed. She gave them both a little smile. "Andy Koo didn't get a chance to do any real damage."

Unaware of Nikita's distress, Birkoff standing on the other side of the bed stated candidly, "I don't know about that. You were in a pretty bad way."

Section's training had taught Nikita to suppress her discomfort and pain. Drawing on that training she didn't want to alarm Birkoff. Lightly running her fingers over her split lip, she turned to look at him and responded dismissively. "I've been in worse situations."

Although Nikita's two best friends stood by her bedside, she may as well have been alone. Thoughts of Michael filled her mind as she wondered about his wellbeing. Even though Walter and Birkoff hadn't said anything to the contrary, she didn't even know if he was alive or dead. Surely they would have said something to her if he was dead � but then again they might think it too distressing to tell her straight away. All of a sudden Nikita shook her head as new tears unexpectedly crept down her cheeks. Less concerned with her own condition she looked up at Walter.

He watched as Nikita bit down on her bruised bottom lip. Her eyes held his in expectation. He could see that she was struggling not to say Michael's name while at the same time desperate to ask the questions that were on the tip of her tongue. How's Michael? Did he pull through? Is he alive?

Nikita suddenly grabbed Walter's hand; she squeezed it tightly as her eyes searched his intently looking him square in the eye. She laid her heart on her sleeve. With her voice raspy and soft, Nikita asked the probing question she ached to know the answer for. "Have you seen Michael yet?"

Seeing the concern and vulnerability etched on Nikita's face Walter smiled at her in an effort to try and ally her concerns. "No not yet ... but I'm sure he's doing fine."

"Are you sure?" she appealed. "He didn't seem to be okay when we were rushed to Medical? You wouldn't lie to me Walter ... would you?"

Walter tried to hide the unease he had for Michael's safety from her. He wanted to protect Nikita for she had her own recovery to worry about. There was no need to make her distressed about Michael unless it was unavoidable. He couldn't tell her that there may be a problem with his blood supply and that Dr Johnson had confided this in him last night. It would only worry Nikita more if she knew. He would only tell her if and when he needed to, but at the moment until he saw Michael for himself there was nothing more he could say.

Nikita nodded at his answer then raised her eyes once more. "When can I see him? I want ..." she hesitated catching her breath. Nikita's eyes implored his in entreaty. Her voice faded to a mere whisper. "I need to see for myself that he's okay."

"You're not strong enough yet, but as soon as you're given the all clear, I'm sure they'll let you see each other ... but I'll see what I can do to speed things up."

Birkoff and Walter shared a look. The one thing they wanted above all else was that Nikita would pull through and be okay. They still had the added problem of Michael's health too but until they saw Dr Johnson they would have to sit tight. Walter concluded that Birkoff wouldn't be here unless he had made some headway into solving the mystery of Michael's blood type. He obviously had things well in hand ready to activate his plan if needed. They would bide their time then seize the moment. Even if the Intel wasn't required, they might still access Michael's file just to protect him if such an occasion ever arose again. That would also appease Walter's stickybeak curiosity at the same time.

As they were talking, Belinda returned to the room to check that Walter and Birkoff were not overstaying their time. "Sorry boys but I think you should leave now. Dr Johnson will be making his rounds again soon and Madeline is expected before too long. You don't want to be here when she arrives."

Walter motioned to Birkoff that they needed to leave Nikita to convalesce. Taking the hint to leave Birkoff said his goodbyes. "Take care Nikita." He then left Walter alone with her.

Although he'd been at Nikita's bedside when she'd gone on duty Belinda hadn't really spoken to Birkoff. Consequently she thought that now was as good a time as any to formally introduce herself to Walter's friend. "Ah, you must be Seymour. Walter's told me all about you."

"I haven't made it to Comm. Yet, but I hope when I do, you have some time to show me around." Belinda smiled at him.

"Sure ... anytime." Birkoff replied suddenly enamoured with the woman whose kind eyes smiled at him.

While Belinda and Birkoff were talking Walter stood at Nikita's bedside by himself. He smiled benevolently down at her, his eyes radiating with concern and love for his special friend. "Now try and get some rest and see if you can get back to sleep, okay? Leave the worrying to me, hmm?" Walter patted her hand in compassion. "We'll come back again soon," was his promised reply.

Nikita shifted on the bed and buried her face in the pillow trying to get comfortable ... but sleep was the furthest thing from her mind.

Her softly spoken reply echoed in Walter's head as he made his way over to the medical station where Belinda was quietly talking to Birkoff.

Despite some palatable sexual tension between them, he'd held Belinda's gaze to the very last second. When she looked away a guttural sound nearly echoed in his throat. However, suppressing it, Walter composed himself and looked at his friend too. Unbeknownst to him, when he turned around Walter had a silly expression on his face.

Birkoff glanced from one to the other realising that there was an obvious connection between the two. Was Walter flirting with her? Birkoff suddenly felt like the third wheel. "Well ... I better get back to Systems. I'll see you both later Walter."

Birkoff turned to Belinda, "Nice meeting you Belinda. Take good care of Nikita."

Once he'd turned away, the flirting between Walter and Belinda continued as Birkoff walked towards the exit. He was nearly there when Walter called out after him. "Hey wait up a minute Birkoff!" Facing the cute medic he gave Belinda one last cheeky grin before hurrying to catch up with his friend.

With one last look back at the patient, the two friends then quietly slipped out of the room leaving Nikita to rest � They both knew that she would need all her strength for when Madeline paid her a visit. Plans to check on Michael however, needed to be put on hold until after Madeline had left Medical. In the meantime Walter wanted to see if Birkoff had come up with any Intel concerning Michael's medical records and while Madeline was occupied with Dr Johnson may be the perfect time for them to go searching.