La Femme Nikita. Adam Samuelle. 024. Family.
Title: All In the Family
Fandom: La Femme Nikita
Characters: Nikita, Elena; Michael and Adam mentioned
Prompt: 024. Family.
Word count: 816
Rating: PGish
Summary: A small family can cast a large shadow
Author's Notes: Spoilers through Season 3; some original dialogue from “Someone Else’s Shadow.”
All In the Family
“Nikita, I was wondering if maybe you’d like to come here and stay with us.”
Though she’d known Elena’s offer was coming, and Section had ordered her to accept, Nikita put up a token resistance.
“Oh, I couldn’t do that.”
“It’s much safer than the hotel where you’re staying downtown.”
“Really, I’m fine. Thank you.”
“It’s not only for you. You’re an important part of Michael’s life.”
Nikita forgot her lines; her voice incredulous.
“Did he say that?”
“No, but I know him. I can tell.” Of course. Michael would have made some oblique hints; put the idea in Elena’s mind that Nikita mattered to him. After all, she was the only known member of his somewhat fractured “family.”
“I’ll think about it,” Nikita promised. Her bags at her apartment were already packed.
“Tell me again, how are you and Michael related? It’s rather confusing.”
“Yes,” Nikita agreed, forcing a laugh. She’d had to memorize Michael’s mission “family tree” based on what he’d told Elena and what he and Nikita had said when they “met” again.
“Let’s see.” Nikita held up one hand, ticking off family members on widespread fingers. “My mother’s sister, who is my aunt, was married to Michael’s stepfather’s brother, which made him my uncle by marriage. So Michael and I are like step-cousins, in the broadest sense of the word.” She laughed again, a little more relaxed.
“Did you know Michael’s mother?” Michael never talked about his family, and Elena hadn’t wanted to pry, but she was curious.
Nikita shook her head. “She died when I was very small. Michael and I first met the summer before he went away to university. I was just a bratty little kid, but Michael was very patient with me and let me ‘hang-out’ with him all summer. Then, when I was about 15, he came to visit me at school. My mother had died and my aunt, who was my legal guardian, was divorced by then, so there weren’t any real ties between Michael and me any more. But I told all the girls he was my brother, and Michael played along. They were so jealous.” Nikita laughed. “He sent me a card when I graduated, but until last week we hadn’t seen each other for almost 10 years.”
“So who is Aunt Reva? Is she your aunt or Michael’s?” Damn. Michael hadn’t profiled the mythical “Aunt Reva” into the mix.
“Neither, actually,” Nikita replied, thinking furiously. “Reva was a housekeeper for Michael’s stepfather. She told Michael and me, and I guess everyone, to call her ‘Aunt’ Reva. She was so sweet to me, and sent me a beautiful letter when my mother passed,” Nikita embellished. “She was always very fond of Michael, I know, and kept track of him over the years. When I visited her a few months ago, Michael’s name came up and she told me where he was living. Her mind is still sharp as a tack, but…” Nikita let her voice trail off, hoping to forestall a sudden wish of Elena’s to meet “Aunt Reva.”
“She sounds like a lovely woman,” Elena commiserated, patting Nikita’s knee gently. “I know it’s difficult when the ones we love become old or ill; family or not.
Nikita toyed with the idea of asking Elena about her own mother. It would be the polite thing to do. But according to the intel she had, Catarina Vacek had become ill and died very suddenly just months before Michael “met” Elena. If Section had killed Elena’s mother, Nikita decided she didn’t want to know about it. But Elena seemed to expect more, so Nikita soldiered on with her saga.
“I’d been thinking about moving to Paris, and I thought it would be fun to surprise Michael with a visit. I’d no idea he had a family, though I should have expected he would. I’m sorry I just ‘popped in’ without calling. You must think me very rude.”
“Oh, not at all,” Elena assured her, smiling. “I know Michael was very pleased to see you again. With neither of us having parents or siblings, we’d love to have you be a part of our little family.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Adam has a bit of a crush on you.” Nikita looked stunned and Elena laughed. “I know he would love to have his Auntie Nikita live with us. Please say yes, just until you find a nice place of your own.”
Nikita nodded in acquiescence. Her moving in with Michael was part of the revised profile. Never mind how tortuous it would be to see him interact daily with his wife and son. A mission family, maybe, but one Nikita could never be a part of.
“Oh, that is splendid. Then I officially welcome you to the Samuelle family.
Nikita’s new “sister” leaned in to give her a welcoming hug, and Nikita felt the walls closing in.
My fanfic100 prompt table is here.
Fandom: La Femme Nikita
Characters: Nikita, Elena; Michael and Adam mentioned
Prompt: 024. Family.
Word count: 816
Rating: PGish
Summary: A small family can cast a large shadow
Author's Notes: Spoilers through Season 3; some original dialogue from “Someone Else’s Shadow.”
All In the Family
“Nikita, I was wondering if maybe you’d like to come here and stay with us.”
Though she’d known Elena’s offer was coming, and Section had ordered her to accept, Nikita put up a token resistance.
“Oh, I couldn’t do that.”
“It’s much safer than the hotel where you’re staying downtown.”
“Really, I’m fine. Thank you.”
“It’s not only for you. You’re an important part of Michael’s life.”
Nikita forgot her lines; her voice incredulous.
“Did he say that?”
“No, but I know him. I can tell.” Of course. Michael would have made some oblique hints; put the idea in Elena’s mind that Nikita mattered to him. After all, she was the only known member of his somewhat fractured “family.”
“I’ll think about it,” Nikita promised. Her bags at her apartment were already packed.
“Tell me again, how are you and Michael related? It’s rather confusing.”
“Yes,” Nikita agreed, forcing a laugh. She’d had to memorize Michael’s mission “family tree” based on what he’d told Elena and what he and Nikita had said when they “met” again.
“Let’s see.” Nikita held up one hand, ticking off family members on widespread fingers. “My mother’s sister, who is my aunt, was married to Michael’s stepfather’s brother, which made him my uncle by marriage. So Michael and I are like step-cousins, in the broadest sense of the word.” She laughed again, a little more relaxed.
“Did you know Michael’s mother?” Michael never talked about his family, and Elena hadn’t wanted to pry, but she was curious.
Nikita shook her head. “She died when I was very small. Michael and I first met the summer before he went away to university. I was just a bratty little kid, but Michael was very patient with me and let me ‘hang-out’ with him all summer. Then, when I was about 15, he came to visit me at school. My mother had died and my aunt, who was my legal guardian, was divorced by then, so there weren’t any real ties between Michael and me any more. But I told all the girls he was my brother, and Michael played along. They were so jealous.” Nikita laughed. “He sent me a card when I graduated, but until last week we hadn’t seen each other for almost 10 years.”
“So who is Aunt Reva? Is she your aunt or Michael’s?” Damn. Michael hadn’t profiled the mythical “Aunt Reva” into the mix.
“Neither, actually,” Nikita replied, thinking furiously. “Reva was a housekeeper for Michael’s stepfather. She told Michael and me, and I guess everyone, to call her ‘Aunt’ Reva. She was so sweet to me, and sent me a beautiful letter when my mother passed,” Nikita embellished. “She was always very fond of Michael, I know, and kept track of him over the years. When I visited her a few months ago, Michael’s name came up and she told me where he was living. Her mind is still sharp as a tack, but…” Nikita let her voice trail off, hoping to forestall a sudden wish of Elena’s to meet “Aunt Reva.”
“She sounds like a lovely woman,” Elena commiserated, patting Nikita’s knee gently. “I know it’s difficult when the ones we love become old or ill; family or not.
Nikita toyed with the idea of asking Elena about her own mother. It would be the polite thing to do. But according to the intel she had, Catarina Vacek had become ill and died very suddenly just months before Michael “met” Elena. If Section had killed Elena’s mother, Nikita decided she didn’t want to know about it. But Elena seemed to expect more, so Nikita soldiered on with her saga.
“I’d been thinking about moving to Paris, and I thought it would be fun to surprise Michael with a visit. I’d no idea he had a family, though I should have expected he would. I’m sorry I just ‘popped in’ without calling. You must think me very rude.”
“Oh, not at all,” Elena assured her, smiling. “I know Michael was very pleased to see you again. With neither of us having parents or siblings, we’d love to have you be a part of our little family.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Adam has a bit of a crush on you.” Nikita looked stunned and Elena laughed. “I know he would love to have his Auntie Nikita live with us. Please say yes, just until you find a nice place of your own.”
Nikita nodded in acquiescence. Her moving in with Michael was part of the revised profile. Never mind how tortuous it would be to see him interact daily with his wife and son. A mission family, maybe, but one Nikita could never be a part of.
“Oh, that is splendid. Then I officially welcome you to the Samuelle family.
Nikita’s new “sister” leaned in to give her a welcoming hug, and Nikita felt the walls closing in.
My fanfic100 prompt table is here.