Author's note: Thanks again to those who reviewed and favorited my first two fics Close and Release. Unlike those stories, this one will not have a flashback. The events of "One Way" and those that occurred after did not happen in this universe (except for the fact that Michael's wife and daughter were killed by Kasim). This is the last fic completing the trilogy.
Disclaimer: Don't sue me CW, I only own the plot.
The city's winter wind wafted through Nikita's dark long tresses while the cold air nearly numbed her bare face. Although her instincts told her to return to the comforting warmth of her apartment, she closed her eyes remembering her and Michael very first kiss. Only a week had passed since that night yet the feel of his soft lips and strong arms still lingered on her flesh and soul.
From behind, she heard a barely audible footfall; she grabbed her gun and spun around aiming it at whoever dared to approach her.
Owen held up his hands, "Guess I should have called first."
She kept her weapon on him, "Obviously."
"We need to talk."
With obvious irritation she answered, "Really? Because last time you ran out of here and took the black box with you!"
His head slightly tipped forward, "I know, it was stupid and-.."
"Ya think?" She sarcastically sniped.
His blue eyes briefly narrowed, "Can we please just get inside, it's freezing."
"Why should I?"
"Because I've realized something."
She gave him a questioning stare.
After a few seconds he finally said, "You were right…I can't do this alone."
His candor surprised her but she didn't show it until she sighed, "You had to learn that the hard way, didn't you?" She lowered her pistol placing it in its holster.
"It's the only the way I know," he almost grinned before climbing down the step ladder that led into her apartment.
It was just before ten on a Monday night and Birkhoff found himself in a situation he had never been in for years. In a nearly deserted pub, he and Michael sat watching the bartender pour them beers.
With suspicious eyes the hacker looked at him, "What's going on?"
"What? Co-workers go out for drinks."
"Yeah, normal ones do and if you haven't noticed, we're anything but. I mean, the last time we did was years ago and it was only because of Ni-.." that's when it dawned on him, "you're working with her."
His eyebrow lifted, "I'm not the only one."
He shifted in his seat, "She used Lily against me."
A small grin was on his lips, "And your cyber girlfriends."
The hacker rolled his eyes, "For a spy she doesn't know how to keep secrets."
"We've known for years."
"I hate you both," his shoulders slumped then a curious look came across his face, "what did she use to convince you?"
His green eyes fought off the angry glare that pulled at them, "That's between us."
A sly smirk was on his mouth, "I bet it is."
An annoyed sigh came from him, "Anyway, I need a few favors."
"Favors?"
"I don't want Division to be suspicious of our location, so.."
"You want me to reroute our trackers?"
"Yes."
"I already did mine; I'm supposed to be at home right now." He removed his laptop from the messenger bag.
"And Thom's, whenever I tell you to."
He blinked and pulled his head back, "He's Niki's mole?"
"No but I've already talked to him, he's on board."
"Why?" He began typing on his laptop.
"Because he's one of the best and…he cares for Alex."
His eyes became wide, "I knew it!" He emphatically bobbed his head.
"I've already spoken to her."
He ignored Michael's statement and said, "She's basically a mini Niki except younger and..white, still hot though."
Michael rolled his eyes, "Are you done yet?"
"What's your destination?"
"My apartment."
"Predictable and done."
After he moment he said, "Thanks."
Receiving gratitude from Michael was strange. He had stopped hearing it once Nikita escaped. It was as if she had taken a piece of his humanity with her, he was grateful to see that it had been restored.
Michael noticed the strange look on his face, "What?"
"You haven't thanked me since Niki went AWOL," a quick chuckle came from him before he took a sip of his beer.
He ignored his comment, "We're meeting Nikita tonight."
"Where?"
"Her place."
Owen sat in the chair next to Nikita's listening to her as she told him about the progress she had made since his departure. He couldn't help but be impressed.
"There's not many of us but it's definitely better than before and having Birkhoff is a huge advantage," she took a small swig from her glass of wine.
"Sounds like you've been busy." he picked up his beer off the coffee table.
"I don't have cable."
A small smirk came to his mouth before he drank from his beer, "You sure you can trust them?"
Feeling a little offended she told him, "Alex has proven to be more than loyal to me. And I've known Michael and Birkhoff for six years and…" She realized that she hadn't called Michael.
"What?"
She picked up her mobile phone, "I need to tell him that you're here or-.."
"What the hell is he doing here?" Michael said with his gun aimed at Owen.