Someone Else's Shadow
Transcript by Cathy

MICHAEL'S OFFICE

Michael and Nikita are watching a videotape where Michael and his son are working in the garden at his house.
Michael: Elena's father's name is Salla Vacek. He's the heir to an Eastern European mining fortune, but he didn't go into the family business. He's a terrorist.
Nikita: Does she know?
Michael: No. He left when she was six. They haven't spoken since.
Nikita: So the Section had you marry her to get to her father?
Michael: Yes.
Nikita: So, what's the plan, what are you going to do when you get him?
Michael: Eliminate him.
Nikita: For three years, you never told me you had a family, Michael.
Michael: I wanted you to know, but it's a tightly contained situation.
Nikita: I understand this is something you've been ordered to do. I don't know how you're able to live with it.

VAN ACCESS

Operations is walking along as hostages are being dragged in. They are babbling in a foreign language.
Operations: Get them to containment. (Operations proceeds to Comm and talks to Birkoff) Where are we?
Birkoff: Sifting through what the embassy sent us. So far there's no link to anything.
Operations: What about the group claiming responsibility?
Birkoff: I've checked. They're all hollow. As soon as I get something from the two bombers we've picked up, I'll know more.
Operations: Madeline's with them now.

THE WHITE ROOM

The bombers are tied up and Madeline enters, circling them. They are both babbling in a foreign language. She gives one a shot in the neck that knocks him out and then proceeds to face the other one.
Madeline: Who hired you to bomb the embassy?
(Translation from Armenian by Bob Scheurle: the man says "My men will kill you" and "They will find you" and Madeline replies "Ov ghergetz kezi" which means "Who sent you?")

THE PERCH

Operations is talking to George on the cell phone.
Operations: No George, not yet. We just cracked one of the bombers. We picked up a thread; we're profiling. We brought them in an hour ago, we're just about ready to go out. Look, if someone can do it faster for you, then use them. Of course. (He ends the call and talks into his comm unit) Are we ready?
Voice: No sir, we're still prepping.
Operations: Get the team out now.

HALLWAY

Madeline: Michael.
Michael: We've been handed the embassy bombing.
Madeline: We requested it. A few parameters cropped up that give it a better than 50% chance that it's Vacek. (They enter her office) Where are things on your end?
Michael: I think I can convince Elena to try another reconciliation.
Madeline: Do you think she's ready?
Michael: We talked about her father last night; she didn't change the subject.
Madeline: Okay, let's explore that for a moment. What mode would you recommend?
Michael: I'd like to bring in someone else. Someone she can relate to and confide in. Perhaps a long lost family member.
Madeline: Do you have anyone in mind?
Michael: Nikita.
Madeline: It's interesting. Another woman, about the same age. Nikita can draw on her experiences, being orphaned early. Which means she wouldn't need training, just a plausible background.
Michael: That was my thinking.
Madeline: It would also be a good way to neutralize the security Nikita violated when she located your address and wandered into your home. Which you were going to report, I assume.
Michael: Of course.
Madeline: I don't see any flaws in the plan. Nikita's an excellent choice.

BRIEFING ROOM

Operations: Over 20% of our resources are dedicated to the pursuit of one man, Salla Vacek. As you can tell by the date code, this photograph is over twenty years old. Intelligence on Vacek is scarce, almost nonexistent. What we do know is that he finances anti-Western terrorism on a global scale. Yesterday's embassy bombing produced a lead, which we followed.
Birkoff: The bombers were brokered by a third tier member of Red Cell. This morning we penetrated his location and downloaded his database.
Operations: One of the names we found is David Henderson Williams. Williams and Vacek were students together at Cambridge. Until this morning there was no reason to believe there was any other connection.
Michael: Do we have a five year file on Williams?
Birkoff: I'm building one now. The little I've seen on this guy makes me believe he's been in touch with Vacek.
Operations: Let's bring in Williams, see if there's a channel we can exploit. Michael, work it up.

MISSION

Nikita: (into her comm set) I'm in.
Birkoff: The elevator's to your left. It will take you to the eighteenth floor. (Nikita takes the elevator and enters an office. The male receptionist stops her.)
Ray: Hey, who are you?
Nikita: Mr. Williams wants to see these documents.
She's carrying a portfolio and is dressed in business attire.
Ray: No, no, no, wrong floor.
Nikita: Are you sure? It doesn't say that here.
She hands him the paper and as he looks, she decks him and knocks him out.
Nikita: (into her comm set) Second position secure.
Birkoff: Get his access card. Housekeeping's right behind you.
Williams: (in his office) Ray, can you make a copy of the Draper Report and bring it in? Ray, are you there? (Nikita enters) Who are you? Where's Ray? (Nikita throws a ball which sticks to the window but doesn't break it. She then goes to the window and looks out.) How did you get in here?
Nikita: Don't make any sudden moves, you'll be fine. Okay. It's fine. It's fine. (The window explodes)
Williams: What are you doing? Good heavens above! (She pushes him out the window and then dives after him. They both fall into a big cushion like the type used for stunt work. Michael helps Nikita up and they walk to the waiting van.)
Michael: (into his comm set) Clean it up. Everyone to their fallback point.

OUTSIDE

A car driving along; it's Michael, in a Volvo, returning home.
Adam: Daddy! Hi Daddy!
Adam runs to greet Michael. Michael picks him up and carries him inside.
Elena: Welcome home! (kisses, hugs) How was your trip?
Michael: Oh, one of the executives couldn't be there so we'll have to repeat the presentation next month. Is everything okay?
Elena: He sent me a letter.
Michael: Who?
Elena: My father. He says he's been looking for me.
She passes Michael an envelope.

SECTION ONE

Birkoff: Sir?
Operations: What?
Birkoff: We just got a confirmation from Michael. She received the letter today.
Operations: Good.

THE WHITE ROOM

Williams is in a chair, Madeline enters.
Madeline: Good afternoon Mr. Williams. You have a personal relationship with Salla Vacek.
Williams: That's an insane statement. I don't know what faulty intelligence led you to me but nobody has access to Vacek.
Madeline: Up until recently, I would have agreed with you. When we found your name on a list of individuals attached to the embassy bombing, my opinion changed.
Williams: Lists? (laughs) They don't mean a damn thing. I'm sure I could find your name on a list of psychopaths if I looked hard enough, when it's perfectly clear (he looks her up and down) you're quite ordinary.
Madeline: (smiles) You and Vacek were classmates at Cambridge.
Williams: Where am I ? Let me guess. Not Interpol. They don't have the resources to clean up the mess you made at my office. My best guess is, you're some covert agency that no one has ever heard of. Run amok, no doubt.
Madeline: We need to send a message to Vacek. You'll help us do that.
Williams: Really?
Madeline: We'll speak in a few hours.
Williams: I'll be here. Some tea would be nice. (Behind him, the Torture Twins enter)

MICHAEL AND ELENA'S HOUSE

Nikita and Elena are there; Nikita is looking at a wall hanging.
Nikita: Wow, it's beautiful.
Elena: Isn't it great? I've had it since I was six years old. My mother and I were on vacation in Rajasthan. This old artist spent the whole afternoon telling us these incredible stories to get us to buy it.
Nikita: Sounds like you're very close to your mother.
Elena: I was. She died when I was 19.
Nikita: What about your father?
Elena: I haven't seen or spoken to my father since I was a little girl.
Nikita: Why not?
Elena: He left us. I didn't even think about him until after my mother died. Then when I met Michael, he convinced me to try to find my father.
Nikita: And did you try?
Michael: (sits down by Elena) We did what we could. Elena contacted all of her relatives but they hadn't heard from him either. After Adam was born, we hired a detective. We wanted him to know his grandfather.
Nikita: So, what happened?
Elena: Nothing.
Nikita: Maybe he isn't alive.
Michael: He is.
Elena: I received a letter from him today.
Nikita: Out of the blue? (Elena nods)
Michael: I'll go put Adam to bed. (He leaves)
Elena: I don't know what I'd do without Michael. He's such a good man.
Nikita: So tell me about the letter.
Elena: My father says, um, he wants to see me, but there are reasons he stayed away. That he wants us to be a family again.
Nikita: Nothing wrong with that.
Elena: Where was he when I needed him? When my mother died, when I married Michael? That's when I wanted a father. It's not fair that he only shows up when he needs me. It makes me angry.
Nikita: Well even though you're angry, now, there'll be other times when you need him. I can't tell you what to do. I know if it were me, I'd take the chance.

THE WHITE ROOM

Madeline enters again.
Williams: You were right. The pain was quite unpleasant. Worse than I'd anticipated, in fact. I'd prefer to avoid a second session with those two.
Madeline: That's entirely up to you.
Williams: Yes. Well. I'd be happy to discuss any relevant details regarding Mr Vacek. How can I be of service? (Madeline smiles)

COMM

Madeline is talking to Operations, Birkoff and Michael.
Madeline: We need to get Elena's letter into Vacek's hands with plausible linkage. Where are we with it?
Michael: It's in image processing. They're rewording it to make it appear that she initiated the contact.
Madeline: We'll be able to get the letter to Mischa Berenz, Vacek's confidante. But what we have to sell is the idea that his daughter, an ordinary citizen, was able to find Berenz and make the connection.
Birkoff: I'm back-filling a plausible scenario. She already tried a detective, so we'll use him as a base. From there I just have to piece it together.
Operations: Good, do it. (He moves on)
Madeline: (to Michael) It didn't take long to produce a letter.
Michael: Nikita was helpful.
Madeline: Good. I'm glad.

OUTSIDE

An airplane swooping in for a landing over water. A jeep pulls up and Mischa gets out. Vacek is watching on a monitor as Mischa is patted down.
Vacek: Mischa, how was your flight?
Mischa: We hit a storm over the gulf but other than that it was fine.
Vacek: How are the boys?
Mischa: They are well.
Vacek: Let him in. (He enters the house)
Vacek: Nice to see you.
Mischa: And you.
Vacek: What do you have for me today?
Mischa: The usual. Philippe believes you're safe here for at least another four days.
Vacek: Oh? Where does he suggest we go next?
Mischa: He's preparing a place for you off the cape.
Vacek: Ugh. I hate the weather there. (Mischa hands him a letter in plastic) What's this?
Mischa: I don't know. I received it through Myume in Hong Kong. It cleared, but he didn't elaborate.
Vacek: (looks at the letter) Where did Myume get this from?
Mischa: From someone in his organization, I assume. I didn't ask. Is something the matter?
Vacek: Yes. This letter is from someone who claims to be my daughter.
Mischa: I thought you kept your identity from her?
Vacek: I have. She doesn't know who I am or how to find me.
Mischa: What does the letter say?
Vacek: She wants me to meet her family. I want this correspondence validated. Account for anyone who laid a finger on it. I want to know where the paper came from; I want to know who licked the stamp.
Mischa: And if it checks out?
Vacek: One step at a time. How are we with White Eagle?
Mischa: Most of the material has already cleared Customs. Personnel is just waiting for you to give the order.
Vacek: Soon.

MICHAEL'S OFFICE

Michael is at his desk, typing on his laptop. Nikita enters and sits down.
Michael: Yes?
Nikita: Elena called me this morning.
Michael: What did she say?
Nikita: She wants me to come over in a couple of days. It doesn't conflict with anything, does it?
Michael: No.
Nikita: She mention it to you?
Michael: She likes you. I think she finds you easy to talk to.
Nikita: You know, I was thinking about Simone last night. You were still married to her when this started, weren't you?
Michael: Yes, Simone knew about Elena.
Nikita: Was it difficult for her?
Michael: I don't know. We never talked about it.
Nikita: I wish you could have told me about … this.
Michael: I wish I could have.
Nikita gets up and walks away.

MICHAEL AND ELENA'S HOUSE

Elena and Nikita are there. Elena is tracing an Indian pattern on her hand with henna.
Elena: It's hard on both of us with him away on business so much. I didn't think about how much he'd be gone.
Nikita: Adam seems to handle it well.
Elena: He does, but he misses Michael when he's away.
Nikita: (Looking at her hand) Wow. That's so pretty.
Elena: Anyway, how's everything with you?
Nikita: A few fashion houses are looking at my portfolio. We'll see. No calls yet.
Elena: And the hotel?
Nikita: Good. (Nikita looks out the window, sees a suspicious looking man walking)
Elena: Nikita, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to come and stay here with us?
Nikita: Oh, I couldn't do that.
Elena: It's much safer than where you're staying downtown.
Nikita: Really, I'm fine, thank you.
Elena: It's not only for you. You're an important part of Michael's life.
Nikita: Did he say that? (incredulous)
Elena: No, but I know him. I can tell.

COMM

Operations comes in and meets Madeline.
Operations: Where are we?
Madeline: Vacek has already begun tracing the letter.
Operations: How's it going?
Madeline: So far, everything's covered. That's not the problem.
Operations: What's the problem?
Madeline: He put people on Elena. He's watching her.
Operations: We expected that.
Madeline: Elena has invited Nikita to move in with her and Michael.
Operations: Vacek is going to look at anything out of the ordinary as suspicious. He'll tie it to the letter.
Madeline: I'll deepen her history. I'm sure we can shore this up.

OUTSIDE

Mischa is walking along outside. He heads for a post office, where the closed-captioning points out that the clerk is speaking Portuguese. Translation by Alessandra:
Clerk: "Olá!" (Hi!)
Michael: "Colabora e tudo correrá bem." (Collaborate and everything will be fine.)
Clerk: "O quê?" ( What?)
Meanwhile another operative, behind the counter, points a gun to her and leads her away. A Section operative takes her place behind the counter and Michael plays customer, hands the op a portfolio, and then walks away.
Michael: (into his comm unit) We've got control.
Birkoff: Good. Vacek's man's on his way in. (Mischa enters the post office.)
Mischa: I'd like to know the origin of this letter, please?
Operative: I'm sorry, we can't give that out to you, it's against policy.
Mischa slips him two $100 bills. He takes them and pulls out the portfolio Michael gave him and gives Mischa the information.

COMM

Operations is talking to Birkoff.
Operations: What about Lisbon?
Birkoff: We gave his tracker the name of the detective Elena hired two years ago. From this point on, the trail's locked.

MUNITIONS

Nikita walks up to Walter.
Nikita: Hey, Walter.
Walter: Oh, hi sugar.
Nikita: I'm moving in with Michael and Elena.
Walter: Yeah, I heard. Oh. Here's your scrambler. (He holds it out, she doesn't take it.)
Nikita: How long have you known?
Walter: I helped set up the cover. I'm sorry. I couldn't tell you. I wanted to.
Nikita: I suppose it explains a few things though.
Walter: It makes it better. The truth always does.
Nikita: Walter, his son. His son loves him so much. Michael feels it too. I can tell. It's heartbreaking.
Walter: Yeah.

MICHAEL AND ELENA'S HOUSE

Adam comes down the stairs, crying, and goes to Michael. Elena and Nikita look on.
Michael: What's wrong? What's wrong, child? Come. You had a bad dream? Hmmm? Okay. Want to go to bed with Daddy and Mommy? Huh? Let's go.
Elena: I think that's a good idea.
Michael: Let's go. (to Adam) It's all right. (to Nikita) Good night, Nikita. (Nikita kisses Adam good night)
Nikita: Good night.
Michael: Say good night to Nikita.
Nikita lies in front of a fireplace in Michael's home. She gets up and looks out the window at the wing of the house that contains the bedroom and watches the lights go out. She lies back down by the fire and thinks about dancing with Michael, making love to Michael.

MORNING

Michael working on a laptop. Nikita and Elena are outside, running up to the house; he can hear them.
Elena: I won! I won!
Nikita: All right, you win.
They enter the house.
Elena: Good morning!
Michael: Hi. Good morning. (Elena goes up to him and they kiss)
Nikita: Hey.
Michael: Orange juice, everybody?
Elena: Yes, please.
Nikita: Yes. (Michael pours orange juice)
Michael: Voilà.
Nikita: Thanks. (smiling; she and Michael seem to be having "a moment" here.)
Elena: Nikita's got her first meeting with a potential client this afternoon.
Michael: Well I'm not surprised. Her designs are very impressive. (phone rings)
Elena: Excuse me. (She answers the phone) Hello? Speaking. When? Why can't you tell me now? Yes, but - (person apparently hangs up)
Michael: Who was that?
Elena: A man who says he represents my father.
Michael: What did he want?
Elena: He said my father wants to see me. They're calling back tonight with details.

VACEK'S COMPOUND

Vacek: (comes down stairs) Hello Mischa. Did you speak to the Council?
Mischa: They're divided. Some think it's a mistake to wait. The summit's getting a lot of attention. Their security is spread thin.
Vacek: That's true, but if we do it now we make it easy for the heads of state to align.
Mischa: They're waiting for your orders.
Vacek: We'll attack on the 23rd. Make the final preparations; notify our soldiers. Mischa. Did you speak to my daughter?
Mischa: Yes.
Vacek: Make the arrangements.

MICHAEL AND ELENA'S HOUSE

The phone rings. Michael answers.
Michael: Hello.
Mischa: May I speak with Elena?
Michael: One moment please. (He gives her the phone)
Elena: (whispers to Michael) Thanks. (on the phone) Hello.
Mischa: Is this Elena?
Elena: Yes.
Mischa: We spoke earlier. Are you interested in meeting your father?
Elena: Yes, of course I am. Why is this so secretive?
Mischa: Please follow my directions very carefully. If you deviate in any way, the meeting will have to be cancelled. (Flash to Operations and Madeline who are listening to the call, then to Birkoff and an assistant) We will meet tomorrow night, six thirty. There is a park just north of the river at Kuerten. It is well marked on the municipal map. At the entrance gate, the attendant will hand you directions to a location within the park.
Elena: This doesn't feel right. I don't understand why he has to be so mysterious.
Vacek: (gets on the phone) Elena.
Elena: Who is this?
Vacek: Your father. I'm sorry, but it has to be this way. (Back at Section, Operations and Madeline look at each other. Birkoff is listening also.) I look forward to seeing you.
Back in Section.
Birkoff: They're off. Filter it. The location will be scrambled but maybe we can piggyback the server.
Operations: (to Madeline) Do a pattern match on the voice. Let's confirm it was Vacek.
Madeline: If it was, it's our first hard contact in over 14 years. (Flash back to Michael, running a comforting hand down Elena's arm in their house; then back to Section and everybody standing around one of Birkoff's displays)
Birkoff: Here's the river, here's the park. We don't know what road he'll take but there are six roads that lead in.
Operations: The meeting is set for six-thirty, which means a few minutes before that, he will be in this three-kilometer zone. I want all of our personnel distributed evenly through that area.
Birkoff: If we can pick him up before he gets to the park, there's less risk of it getting bloody.
Operations: But if not, seal off the park, do whatever it takes. Let me make this clear. There is no higher priority than taking out Vacek. Any amount of collateral is acceptable if we hit the target.

MICHAEL AND ELENA'S HOUSE

Fade to Nikita watching Adam playing in the yard over Operations's words. She turns from the window and walks to meet Michael.
Nikita: Where's Elena?
Michael: Getting ready.
Nikita: How's she doing?
Michael: She's nervous.
Nikita: What if her father shows? What's going to happen, Michael?
Michael: Then the mission ends.
Nikita: What about Elena and Adam?
Michael: They'll be safe.
Nikita: And you?
Michael: I won't see them again.
He goes outside where Adam is playing and picks him up in his arms; Nikita watches. Elena comes down the stairs.
Nikita: Hey.
Elena: Thanks for staying with Adam.
Nikita: No problem.
Elena: I hope this is the right thing.
Nikita: It is.
They walk up to Michael who is holding Adam.
Elena: Bye, sweetheart.
Adam: Bye Mommy.
Elena: You have the cell phone number; call if you need anything.
Nikita: Don't worry, we'll be fine.
Elena: Come on, Michael. (Michael hands Adam to Nikita)
Nikita: Say goodbye to Daddy. (Michael kisses Adam)
Michael: Be nice. (He gets into the car with Elena)
Nikita: (to Adam) Hey, hey, say goodbye. (She points and Adam waves to Elena and Michael)
Elena: Bye, my love, be good. (they drive away)

COMM

Birkoff: It's 6:26. Everyone advance and tighten.
We see the park; operatives spaced throughout, looking inconspicuous. Operations checks his watch. Michael and Elena get out of the car and stand, holding hands.
Elena: Let's sit.
Michael: I'm okay.
Elena: Look. He looks like Watson. (looking at a dog playing with a young girl)
Michael: I wouldn't have met you if it weren't for him. He was a good dog.
Elena: I miss him. I miss those days. We should go back, with Adam. He'd love Bordeaux.
Michael: He's too young.
Elena: I don't think so. We'll take the train. Remember how much he loved it when we took him to London?
Michael: We'll see.
Elena: (noticing his nervousness) You're more on edge than I am.
Michael: Just being careful. I want this to be good for you.
Elena: It's odd but, I don't feel what I thought I would.
Michael: What do you mean?
Elena: It doesn't seem so important all of a sudden. It's made me realize that the people that I love are the ones that are already in my life, and that's not going to change.
Michael kisses her on the forehead tenderly. A car approaches.
In Section.
Birkoff: OK, we have a vehicle. Team four.
Operative: (looking through the scope of a gun) Yeah, we got him.
Birkoff: Do you have an ID?
Operative: They're still in the car. I can't confirm yet.
Birkoff: You have about thirty seconds before it goes public.
Operative: It could be him but I still can't confirm.
Birkoff: (turns to the Perch) Sir?
Operations shakes his head "no".
Birkoff: Hold. We're going to play it out.
Michael turns and sees the BMW coming toward them. The car stops. Mischa gets out of the car.
Elena: Is it you?
Mischa: Your father was unable to come. He wanted Adam to have this.
He passes her a gift. It's a sort of calidoscope.
Elena: Who are you?
Mischa: Someone your father trusts.
Elena: Trusts? I still don't understand.
Mischa: You must be Michael. (Michael nods.) You've taken very good care of Elena. Her father wishes you to know, he is grateful.
Michael: Where is he?
Mischa: He thought this was the right time to get reacquainted with you but there were complications. (Operations is listening intently; so is Birkoff)
Elena: What kind of complications? What is so difficult about meeting your daughter?
Michael: Elena -
Elena: - No. I have to say this. Tell my father his daughter is here and wants to see him.
Mischa: I'm truly sorry.
Elena: (to Michael) Let's go.
Birkoff: We can tag his car, sir. Do we pursue?
Operations: No. Maintain conservative profile. Let him go.
Back at the park, Elena throws Vacek's gift in a trash can. She and Michael get back in the car and leave. Last image is of the caleidoscope starting to play "Itzy bitzy spider".

MADELINE'S OFFICE

Madeline is misting a plant. Operations comes in.
Operations: He never showed.
Madeline: Yes, I've heard. You got the news about Madrid?
Operations: No, what?
Madeline: The plaza. 37 killed, over 200 injured.
Operations: Vacek?
Madeline: Yes. Same group as the embassy. His money financed it.

VACEK'S COMPOUND

He comes in and talks to one of his men.
Vacek: Leave that here, it's not important. (to Mischa) Mischa. You met her?
Mischa: Yes, here's the cassette.
Vacek: This won't tell me what I need to know.
Mischa: She's a good woman. A strong woman. You'd be proud of her.
Vacek: Then you're telling me she was angry.
Mischa: Disappointed.
Vacek: And her husband?
Mischa: He was interesting. There was something in his eyes.
Vacek: What?
Mischa: Power.
Vacek: Good, then he'll protect her.
Mischa: Yes. I think so.
Vacek: Come. We have to hurry.

THE PERCH

Operations: Have you worked up a new profile on Vacek?
Madeline: Yes. You were right not to tag the courier. Yesterday was a dry run any way you look at it.
Operations: What do you recommend?
Madeline: Vacek wants to see his daughter, but he feels no urgency.
Operations: Then we'll have to change that.
Madeline: Yes.
Operations: Michael will resist.
Madeline: It won't matter.

MICHAEL AND ELENA'S HOUSE

Michael and Elena return home.
Nikita: Hey, how'd it go?
Elena: He didn't show. I'm going to check on Adam. (She leaves)
Nikita: What happened?
Michael: He sent someone else.
Nikita: Did we pick him up? (they sit down next to each other)
Michael: No.
Nikita: That means they'll keep you here longer. That's good.
Michael: Good? (looks at her in surprise)
Nikita: For Adam.

THE END

Edited by Dana
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