Hi guys!

This is my first try of a Nikita Duncan fanfiction in English so please excuse any grammar mistakes you find in the text! ;) Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy this story that takes place almost immediately after *spoiler alert* Nikita was shot in Shards of Hope. I was inspired to do this fanfic after reading "Anthony & Nikita" by MissPadfoot101 who has created a great story about our favorite couple in the series. My story will be a lot different though! Rated M to be safe!

Reviews are always welcome! ;)

P.s: I do not own any characters but those I invented myself such as Andrew, Doctor Miller and a few others! :)

Andrew POV:

Andrew Brown, former sentinel of DarkRiver and now advisor to Lukas Hunter, was more than just pissed about his current situation. Not only had his pack decided to send him to some unknown place to guard one of the most dangerous women the world had to offer, but he also would not be able to stay at his leader's side during such a difficult time of assassination attempts and an upcoming war between a variety of different parties. The leopard growled angrily and Andrew, who was about to get the coffee he had ordered, slammed a hand against the vending machine in front of him. He wasn't even allowed to leave this goddamned place to hunt or get fresh air! The underground bungalow that had been built in case Nikita had to go into hiding was by no means narrow or uncomfortable. Max Shannon had described it as a massive, hospital-like wellness resort that even offered a small park for the leopard run in although the space was clearly limited to a few hundred meters. Still, it was a huge area that reminded Andrew more of a luxury hotel than a bungalow originally built for survival. The walls where mainly a plain white but the architect had made sure to hand up paintings by well-known artists to add some color to the otherwise neat rooms. Andrew was sure that building the bungalow must have cost Nikita a fortune though he was also sure that she must have recovered from the costs almost immediately, considering she was listed as one of the richest women in the world. He still didn't understand why a single psy would need so much space and luxury if they didn't even use most of what the place had to offer.

The blinking display of the vending machine signaled for him to take his coffee and he slowly headed back to the room he had come from a few minutes ago.

When the door closed behind Andrew, he carefully surveyed the woman lying in the bed next to the window through which he could see the park below them. Nikita was still vast asleep which was not really surprising, considering that she had had surgery performed on her only forty-eight hours ago so he sat down in the chair opposite to her and took a sip from his coffee. Andrew still felt uncomfortable sharing a room with the ex-councilor because he didn't trust someone who could easily infect him with a deadly virus. Sascha and Lukas both had promised that Nikita would not harm the pack but he would always make sure to watch his back while he was stuck here.

Having sat in his chair for almost four hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom or to get himself a new coffee, Andrew felt his eyelids become heavy. He hadn't slept a bit since they had brought Nikita to the bungalow, just in case she'd wake up and tried to cut his throat, but now tiredness was washing over him and Andrew had to force himself to stay awake. Shaking his head he sat up straighter in the chair. Falling asleep right in front of Nikita Duncan was absolutely not a good idea. Keep it together, Brown! He scolded himself and the leopard let out a quiet but furious growl.

"I have no intentions of killing you, Mr. Brown."

His head snapped up. Nikita's cool brown eyes were resting on him and again he had to scold himself. How could he have missed her waking up? Clearly, the tiredness was clouding his senses.

"Why do you tell me that?" He asked, trying not to sound as though he was about to fall asleep.

"It is obvious that you are exhausted. I suggest you sleep as you won't be of any use if you are not able to fight in case someone finds us here," Nikita simply stated, her voice still sounding a bit croaky.

Andrew narrowed his eyes. The leopard didn't want to close his eyes and drift off into a state he'd be vulnerable in but the man argued that she would have already killed him had she really wanted to.

"How can I be sure my head isn't going to explode the second I turn my back to you?" The question sounded harsher than he had intended but Andrew doubted that Nikita cared about the tone in his voice too much, if she was able to catch it at all.

"It would not be a very wise move to kill a member of the pack I make business with, Mr. Brown." Again a cool and collected answer from the woman who had almost died less than two days ago and all she cared about was business.

He snorted. Even in her current condition, when she was visibly weaker than Andrew himself, did Nikita Duncan not back down and admit her vulnerability.

"Alright," he answered and put the empty coffee mug on the small table beside his chair. "If you say so…"

Andrew didn't trust her but he trusted his alpha's judgement. Lukas' mate was Sascha Duncan, Nikita's daughter, and rumor had it that the ex-councilor would tear apart anyone who tried to harm the only offspring she has ever had. Besides, he knew she was right to say he'd be of no use in a fight if he was too exhausted so Andrew decided to take the risk and leaned back in the chair to rest his head against the cool wall. His body would hurt like hell by the time he woke up but there was only one bed in the room, which he certainly did not want to share with Nikita Duncan, and he didn't want to leave her alone in case something happened while he was asleep.

Despite his exhaustion, Andrew closed his eyes and let the leopard stay at the surface, senses sharp and tense. The cat would make sure no one was going to cut his throat or the one of the woman he was protecting.

Nikita POV:

Nikita watched the man in the chair opposite to her bed close his eyes and drift into sleep. She had never heard of or seen him before until Sascha had informed her about their plan to move her to the hideout. Nikita hadn't had the time or energy to do researches about Andrew Brown but she had heard enough to know that he apparently was one of DarkRiver's most experienced sentinels and advisor to Lukas Hunter, her daughter's mate. She'd never admit it openly, but Sascha was one of only few people Nikita trusted in her life but she also knew that her daughter didn't have the killer gene. As an empath, Sascha could feel the emotions of others and killing someone would fall back on her and could, eventually, lead to her own death.

Even though Nikita was in significant pain, she did not allow herself to go back to sleep. Instead, she reached out to the only person she trusted enough to not kill her.

Anthony, she pathed.

Nikita. The familiar voice of Anthony Kyriakus replied only a few moments later. Why are you conscious?

I have had enough rest, Anthony. What happened?

For a few seconds, the other psy stayed silent. Apparently, someone hired a sniper to assassinate you in your office.

I figured out that much. Nikita replied coldly. Have you found out who fired the bullet?

Not yet, but Aden and his team are working on it. It looks like the bullet is the same type as that used by the assassin who tried to hit him as well.

She thought about it for a moment. There was no doubt that the same person who had hired the first assassin was behind the failed attempt to kill her. Do we know who he is?

Anthony paused again. You should rest.

He avoided her question which made her mind suspicious but his tone signaled her that he was not going to talk about the topic any longer. Even though she was used to be the one in command, she refrained from inquiring any further. Goodbye, Anthony.

Nikita did not wait for him to reply. She, too, was exhausted and the pain in her chest, abdomen and head told her to go back under but she forced herself to stay focused on what was going on at the moment, recalling every detail she remembered about the day of the shooting.

Nikita had had an appointment with one of her clients. The meeting had went well without any further interruptions and they had both signed the contract she had set up earlier that day.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a tall, blonde man stepping into the room. Nikita's sharp eyes took in his appearance, ready to strike in case he was going to try anything.

"You should have knocked, Doctor Miller," she informed him bluntly. "Not many people dare enter my room without announcing themselves."

And not too many of them survived that little stunt. She added in her mind. Nikita was by no means a psychopath, killing anyone who did not knock before entering her office, but most of her unannounced intruders meant to harm her.

"Yes, I am aware of that, Councilor Duncan," the doctor replied and his eyes fell on the sleeping sentinel. "I just assumed that you'd still be unconscious. I wasn't expecting you to be awake after such a short amount of time."

Nikita didn't give an answer to Doctor Miller's words and instead watched him check on the tubes and cables her body was connected to.

"I will come and check on you every two hours until I can be sure your life is no longer in danger," he said. "I will also have to look at your wounds later this day."

He hesitated for a second as if he expected her to give him permission.

"Do what you have to do, Doctor Miller," Nikita replied emotionless.

The doctor nodded once before glancing at Andrew one more time. "Should we bring in another bed for the changeling, Councilor?"

Nikita's eyes landed on the tall figure of Andrew Brown who was still vast asleep in the too small looking chair. "Yes, I think that would be appropriate since Mr. Brown is going to stay here for a bit longer."

Doctor Miller nodded again, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

So, how did you like the first part? Let me know please! :)