Prologue
The sun was swallowed by the grey clouds, promising much rain to come. The streets were quickly emptying, people rushing to shelters. The wind was increasing from a mild puff to a large shove. A few cars could be heard on a road close by, but the normal sounds of the city seemed to have dropped to a distant murmur. Night would fall soon enough, but for now, it was just a grey dullness.
The first drops of rain fell just as one man stepped out of his car and looked over his shoulder. The street seemed empty, but that only added to the man's distress. Slamming the car door shut, he stared intently around for several minutes. His reddish hair grew wet as the rain began falling more intensely, but he didn't even seem to notice. Not moving an inch, his clear blue eyes took in every centimetre of the street both in front and behind. Finally, he seemed satisfied, taking a quick step onto the sidewalk.
He barely got to taking his second step before a car pulled up behind him, brakes screaming.
His own scream couldn't be heard as the clouds banged together and lightning lit up the sky.
***********
The phone rang. Slowly walking over to the counter the woman hesitated only a heartbeat before picking it up, already knowing what it would say.
"Josephine," a voice greeted her.
***********
The phone rang. Sighing slightly, the woman reached for it.
"Goldstein," she said into the receiver.
"We have a case," came the expected reply, and she hesitated only a heartbeat before answering.
"Where?"
***********
The Eye of Odin
By Camilla Sandman
Title: The Eye of Odin
Author: Camilla Sandman
E-mail addy: Cammy_Sandy@hotmail.com
Category: Crossover (La Femme Nikita/Water Rats)
Timeframe: Season 4 Water Rats, before Frank left, season 4 Nikita, after she has "returned to her old self", so to speak
Disclaimer: I don't own Water Rats, Hal does. I don't own La Femme Nikita, USA Network & co does. But since no one thought of a crossover between the two, I own this!!
Author's Note: This one if for Marius, my dear bro, who loves Nikita utterly. Happy birthday bro!!
Since I doubt most of you know much about Nordic Mythology, Odin was the King of the ancient Norse Gods, and according to the stories, he gave up his one eye for all the knowledge in the world.
************
Section One HQ
Tuesday Morning
"John Matterson was killed last night," Operations declared to his two agents, pushing the button on the screen so it lit up with a picture of the dead man.
"He was one of our Australian agents, and normally not a target for Red Cell operatives, but before he died, Matterson was investigating rumours of a Red Cell HQ in Sydney. We believe them to have infiltrated the local police, because John Matterson was properly identified. If so, this could be our chance to find them. Nikita, Michael, you will play the part of special agents of the FBI, and will work with the local police. Find out everything they know, anyway possible. Locate the Red Cell infiltrator, and report back. Don't kill the infiltrator, but use whatever means necessary to find this person. Birkhoff has the details on your panels."
Exchanging a quick look, Michael and Nikita got up, heading for Birkoff's desk.
"Long flight," Nikita remarked lightly.
"Yes."
Their hands touched.
************
Sydney Water Police HQ
Wednesday Morning
"Hey Frank," Rachel Goldstein called out to her partner, Frank Holloway. He gave her a quick smile as she sat down on the desk opposite him.
"You just missed Hawker's big announcement," he told her.
"Yeah? What did he have to announce?" she asked as she sighing looked at the huge pile of cases on her desk.
"Well, you know the dead floater we found? He was identified as a dead American."
"Even I could see he was dead," Rachel cut in, reaching for her bag.
"No, dead as in 'dead a year ago'. He was on death row, and was declared executed."
She finally looked up at him.
"You're kidding."
"Nope. What's more, we're getting someone over from the States to help us on this one. In fact.."
There was a knock at the door, and Rachel tore her eyes away from Frank, and to the couple standing in the doorway.
"Frank and Rachel?" the young blonde inquired, "I'm Nikita, this is Michael. We're here to help you on the John Matterson case."
Frank was on his feet in a matter of seconds, smiling broadly while Rachel quickly gathered herself, and swore to never miss a breakfast meeting again.
"Nikita.. unusual name," Frank observed and got a smile in reply.
"So how come one of your inmates on death row end up dead in our water?"
"There was a break out, but it was covered up by some guards. They are being investigated," Michael said coolly.
"So, who else escaped in that breakout?" Frank asked, mouthing "Americans think they own the world" to Rachel. She ignored it.
"That's classified," Michael answered, "may we see the body?"
"Sure. Anything for you, mates," Frank replied, sending Rachel a look as she closed the door behind them. She just gave him a shrug.
"Maybe all FBI agents are like that," he muttered as they headed down the hall.
************
The rain was pouring down, like a shower from above, seemingly endlessly. Down, down it went, to whomever was unlucky enough to still be outside.
She was a young girl, not looking a day over 18, her brown hair wet from the rain. Her clothes were drenched, but still she didn't move, just stood there. Staring at the body of the guy who just seconds ago had stood in front of her, after giving her a ride. A clean shot in his forehead, from which blood poured out, mixing with the water.
She just stared.. and then she screamed.
************
"VGK to Water Police 200."
"Go ahead VKG."
"There's been reported a shooting near the Opera House. Could you look into it."
"Copy that, VKG." Frank hung up the radio, and turned to Nikita and Michael in the backseat.
"As soon as you come to town, our crooks seems to become busy bees."
"I doubt that has anything to do with us," Michael replied, not even lifting an eyebrow at the humour attempt.
"Give it up Frank," Rachel muttered as they pulled up.
"Speak for yourself Rachie, I think the blonde one was giving me the eye."
"You're delusional, Francis," she replied, then raised her voice. "You can just wait in the car."
"We'd prefer to tag along," Nikita announced, already half way out of the car. Michael was already outside, not even seeming to notice the rain.
"This will be fun," Frank muttered, as he followed the two Americans out.
"What have we got?"
"A hysterical girl, but no body. She claims a car pulled up and took the body," one of the uniforms informed them.
"Took the body? That's a new one, maybe she.." Frank began, but was cut off by Michael.
"Did she see the car number?"
The uniform exchanged a look with Frank, who just mouthed "Americans" and shrugged.
"Yes.. she said it was black van.. registration number NZL 952. She said the driver seemed American."
"American? Why did she think that?"
"He yelled something like "tell anyone and you're dead, bitch" and she swears it was with an American accent."
"Is it just me, or does Sydney suddenly seemed filled with Americans?" Frank muttered, while Nikita and Michael walked over to the girl.
"And who said they're in charge?" he continued sourly.
"Frank, Frank, calm down, it's just for a couple of days, then they'll head home again."
"Promise?"
She patted him lightly on the shoulder.
"Yes, I promise."
************
The van pulled up in front of the building, and the two men jumped out. One of them wiped some blood of his forehead.
"They're here," one said.
"Section?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"They're working with the Water Police."
"They can be a problem."
"Should we deal with it?"
"No. We'll deal with it if they become a threat. For now our target is Nikita and Michael."
And then the only sound was the rain hitting the roofs and streets.
*************
"Now that was fun. 5 hours of those two taking over the investigation," Frank complained yet again as the two Australian detectives headed into their office.
"You complain too much Francis."
"Do I? I swear.."
"Excuse me," Nikita interrupted, sticking her head in, "I was wondering if you could maybe show me a good bar."
"Me?" Frank seemed to loose his sour mind at once.
"Certainly, my dear. See you tomorrow," he directed at Rachel, who just shook her head.
"You hypocrite," Rachel threw after him, as he followed a very willing Nikita out.
"Just the two of us then," came Michael's soft voice, and she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to scare you."
"I just didn't see you there," she replied, gathering herself.
"Can I buy you a drink?"
She looked up at him, at his unreadable eyes, and found that this man scared her. She couldn't read him. As a Detective, she had grown quite good at reading people, but this man was just.. blank. He could be anything.
"Sure," she replied unsure, turning off the lights in the office.
***********
The rain had fallen to just a light shower, bare tickling the ground. The stars could not be seen through the clouds, but they were there, as always. The moon could be seen, though weakly. And darkness embraced the world. In it walked shadows, as Michael met Nikita in front of a lit up bridge.
They looked at each other for a while, wondering how far the other had gone. Finally Nikita broke the silence, keeping her look firmly at Michael.
"He's not our target."
"Neither is she," Michael replied, catching a strand of her hair in the wind.
"Will Section care?"
"Probably not."
"I don't want to hurt them."
"We don't have to."
She leaned into his kiss.
And above them Frank Holloway watched with a smile. He had suspected as much when Nikita had seemed hesitant to his advances. He didn't really mind that. Besides, now he knew something Rachel didn't. He walked whistling into the night, not noticing the shadows following him.
They embraced the darkness.
***********
The night was silent. The light rain trickle vanished, the wind fell dead, and the city seemed to sleep. A few dogs barked now and then, a distant car could be heard.
The shadows moved, and Frank Holloway didn't see them until a second too late.
He fell against the pavement.
BR>
The night moved.
Nikita heard them before she saw them, drawing her weapon within a second. Michael had already moved to the left of her, his weapon drawn. Pure instinct made her turn a bit to the right, shooting the silent assassin in the water. Michael had already disposed of the two incoming on his left, now dealing with someone behind her. She couldn't see if he hit, but trusted him to do so.
Two shots squarely in the chest of the last man coming at her, and then the night was silent again. Except for a groan. Running a few steps forward, Nikita saw Frank Holloway stagger on his feet.
"You alright?" she asked concerned.
"My head is killing me," he muttered, then noticed the gun in her hand. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, fine. It was just someone trying to steal my purse," she lied. "What happened to you?"
"Dunno. Someone just came out of nowhere and.. Auu!" he winced as she touched the bruise on his forehead.
"Better get it checked out," she said gently, leading him away. Behind them a van pulled up, and the traces of the fight the night had hid, were gone forever.
Michael looked after Nikita and Frank with a calmness his heart didn't share. Then he called Rachel.
***********
"Frank!" Rachel called out as she ran into the emercengy room. She was calmed by seeing him sitting on a table, very much alive and well, if in pain.
"Auu!" he complained as a nurse was cleaning his wound. "Rachel!"
"Michael called me," she explained, "but he didn't say what was wrong, I thought.."
"What, that you finally don't have to clean up my mess anymore?"
She thwarted him hard on the arm.
"That's not even funny Frank."
"Sorry," he muttered as the nurse excused herself, leaving only Rachel in the room.
"What happened?"
"Nikita says some purse nabbers must have knocked me over.. but.." he frowned. "Rachel.. Something is going on here. I heard shots, I know I did."
"Shots?"
"Yes.. and Nikita came towards me, gun drawn. She said it was a purse nabber, but that just doesn't add up." He blinked, feeling the painkillers take effect.
"We can talk later. Come on, let me take you home."
"Hmm.." There wasn't much protest in him, as she let him lean on her, walking out.
"You know Michael and Nikita are involved," he suddenly muttered into her neck.
"Yeah?" His breath felt hot on her, and she struggled to keep her balance as he seemed to lean heavier on her.
"Hmm.. They were kissing.."
"Frank, you're falling asleep on me," she complained.
"Sorry.." he straightened up, and the feel of his breath against her neck disappeared. She drove him home in silence, watching him fall into a light sleep in the seat next to her. She hated to wake him from the seemingly peaceful slumber, but he couldn't sleep in her car. Finally she got him inside, after much cursing.
"Are you gonna undress me for bed?" he muttered halfway up the stairs, she had no breath to come up with a comeback line, so she only snickered.
He fell asleep on top of the sheets, snoring lightly. Feeling tired, she lay down next to him, only to rest, only to get her breath back from getting him up the stairs.
Soon she slept peacefully.
**********
Night went towards day, and light began breaking the darkness as the surviving hit man entered the safehouse.
"You failed," came the accusing voice at once.
"They were too good!"
"You brought them with you!" The voice rose high with anger.
"No, no, no," whimpered the man, but the sound of braking breaks told him he was wrong.
Death came swiftly.
**********
Section HQ
"Nikita and Michael just reported in," Birkhoff announced to Operations as he walked into the office. "They found one of Red Cells hiding places, but it was almost deserted. They caught one, and are trying to get him to talk."
"Tell them to use whatever means they find neccessary. Have they been exposed by anyone?"
"Negative. They report that the local detectives have no suspicions."
"Watch them carefully anyway."
"Yes, sir."
"And tell Madeline I want to see her."
"Yes, sir."
As Birkhoff walked out, Operations looked down at one of his screens, smiling just barely. Section One could always use some new recruits.
*********
The phone was ringing. Her hand was searching desperately for the source of the sound, but she kept encountering something soft. Opening her eyes she tried figuring out why the roof didn't have the colour it was supposed to have.
And Frank was snoring, the phone kept ringing and.. Her mind skipped back a beat.. Frank?
Picking up her phone, she sighed heavily.
"Yeah, Goldstein," she replied, pushing Frank's hand away from her stomach where it had been resting.
"This is Michael. We have a confession."
"What?" she stood up, feeling her muscles groan in reply. That should teach her to fall asleep in her clothes.
"A confession. We have Matterson's murderer."
Now she was really awake, feeling several alarm bells go off in her head.
"You found Matterson's murderer and he confessed, just like that?"
"Yes. He will be sent to the States as soon as possible."
"I'll be right there," she declared, and hung up. She debated waking Frank, then decided not to. He had got a heavy blow to the head, and needed rest.
She walked out to the falling rain, wondering what about this felt so very wrong. The water that soaked her clothing, gave no answers. Neither did the dark clouds.
*********
Not a hint of blue sky could be seen through the thickness of the clouds, and you could almost be fooled to thinking there had never been a blue sky. There was only the clouds and the rain.
"We have the weapon."
"Does Section know?"
"They might."
"Can we deal with them?"
"Yes. There is a way. Through the local police."
"Do it."
The rain fell heavier.
**********
Rachel walked into the station like a drowned cat, but didn't really care as she marched into her office. Michael and Nikita were already there, so was a man, his face pale and white except for one large bruise across his cheek.
"This is Nils Johanson. He escaped with Matterson, and has just admitted to killing him," Michael announced without further ado.
"This guy?"
"Yes."
"How did you find him?"
"He surrendered voluntarily." She looked sternly at him, but found nothing to indicating that he was lying. Still, he had to be. Murderers just didn't surrender.
"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
"It doesn't really matter how we got him, the important thing is that we did," Nikita cut in. Rachel shifted her gaze to look at the young woman, before shifting back to Michael again. Frank was right. Something just wasn't right with these two.
"We'll be taking him back to the States," Michael said after a few seconds silence.
"Will you?"
"Yes. It's been cleared."
"Fine." She slammed the door behind her and went home to change. Americans did think they owned the world, and acted accordingly too.
She didn't see the car.
*********
Michael saw the car, but as he was crossing the street, it was too fast. He got a shot off, but the seemingly nice, older man hit him over the head hard from behind.
Nikita saw only the van driving away fast as she exited the Station, having delivered the prisoner to a colleague inside. She knew at once, feeling her heart jump to her throat.
Not now.
*********
There was a knock at the door. Then another. And another. Slowly, his mind came into focus, and he got up slowly. His mind felt too foggy to figure out why he almost tripped over Rachel's jacket, but he did manage to wander downstairs and open the door.
A wet looking Nikita greeted him.
"Is something wrong?" he asked as soon as he saw her face.
"Michael.. he has been taken. And so has Rachel. I need your help."
"What?" he muttered, unable to comprehend the words coming out of her mouth.
"We can get them back. But I need your help."
He looked into her face, and saw just pure honesty. Whatever else she was hiding, he believed her now. And if Rachel was in danger..
"What do I have to do?"
************
It was dark. And wet, were her first impulses. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she couldn't move her arms. Struggling to open her eyes, she felt something warm run down her cheeks. Finally getting her eyes open, she found herself in a dark room. Her arms were chained to the roof, the reason she couldn't move them were that she was hanging from them.
"Whaaaat?" she muttered, and then she spotted Michael hanging just a few metres away. He seemed unconscious, just hanging limply. Blood was pouring from a wound in his head. That was probably what she had felt too.. Blood.
Her arms hurt, she tried to wriggle her fingers, but they felt unresponsive.
The door opened. Two men walked in, carrying a third between them.
"Frank!" she gasped, for it was Frank. He managed to lift his head high enough to see her too, anger flashed over his face, only to be replaced by pain.
"Goldie," he muttered, "Goldie."
One of the men answered by kicking him squarely in the ribs, and she winced at the sight. They just dropped him by her feet, not even bothering to tie him up or chain him like her. And then she left, but she couldn't have cared less, her attention fully on Frank.
"Frank!"
He moaned slightly, curling up in a foetus position. First she thought it was in pain, then she saw the gun in his hand. Their eyes locked, just as the two men re-entered, this time carrying chains. This time she recognised one of them. Kevin Jones, in Internal Affairs. They had worked together on a few occasions. Now he barely acknowledged her. The other guy was leaning over Frank, when he felt cold steel against his neck.
"I should kill you here and now for the way you treat my partner, but I hate cleaning up such a mess. Now release her!"
"Drop the gun Frank," Kevin said calmly, "you have no idea who you are dealing with. We…"
The gunshot echoed through the room as Nikita stepped out of the shadows.
"The tracer worked like a charm I see," Frank muttered, pressing his weapon harder against the man's neck. "Now release my partner!"
"Do as he says," Nikita added, "you know who I work for."
With shaking hands the man released both Rachel and Michael, who was still unconscious.
"They must have given him a sedative," Nikita muttered concerned as Frank was helping Rachel sit down.
"Who are these guys?" Rachel asked, rubbing her hands. Feeling was beginning to return to them.
"Some terrorist group, according to Nikita. Are you okay?"
She nodded slightly. "What about you?"
"I hurt, but I'll live." He glanced over at Nikita again, only to see that Michael were on his feet, supported by Nikita
"Can you and Rachel get out on your own?"
"Where are you going?"
"Finish this." The cold chill in Nikita's voice cut any further questions from Frank short. Michael picked up the gun on the floor, and without even a heartbeat's hesitation, fired.
Frank and Rachel stared, wide-eyed, as the two walked off. Then Frank put his arms around Rachel, helping her to her feet. She moaned slightly.
"What kind of terrorist organisation is this," she muttered.
"I dunno.. And Michael and Nikita don't seem like your average FBI agents to me."
They began walking slowly, passing more dead bodies in the hallway.
"Do you know where you are going?"
"Yeah, I think so.." Frank looked around, "we came through here, then we head left, and we should see the basement door."
Meanwhile, Michael had gained enough strength from the antidote Nikita had given him to mercilessly shot down those who was unfortunate to stand in his way. Nikita was walking beside him, not hesitating much either. As they walked into the main room, five men stood up, surprise all over their face.
The nuclear missile in the room was gleaming coldly.
"No!" one of the shouted, but he pulled his gun too late, the shot hitting him in the head. Two other were busy pulling their guns as well, while two made a run for it.
They got three steps from where they stood before they fell dead. The two others managed to fire a shot, but Michael didn't even flinch when one hit him in the arm. The other missed a running Nikita, but she didn't miss her target. Neither did Michael.
"Nikita to base. We have it. Get clean-up here."
"You didn't mention Frank and Rachel," Michael commented.
"They don't need to know. You know what will happen." He nodded slowly, then they walked off. Clean-up could handle it from here.
Outside, Frank and Rachel were met with a light rain shower as they walked unsteadily out of the building. Seeming to be only moments later, it blew up. The rush of wind blew them off their feet, propelling them several metres away. Pieces of wood rained over them along with dirt as they hit the ground hard. Rachel felt the air being pressed out of her lungs, she tried to gasp in pain, but had no breath.
It only took a few seconds before the rain of what remained of the house stopped, and she looked up, wondering what the hell ha happened. Frank was lying on the sidewalk a few metres away, she crawled up to him and found that he was breathing. Curling herself up against him, she placed his head in her lap. And finally she succumbed to the blessed darkness, where there was no pain.
*********
Epilogue
Section HQ
High heels against cold steel as Madeline walked over to Operations, joining him in a slow stroll down the hallway.
"The mission in Australia was a success. Nikita and Michael are returning home. Clean-up removed any sign of Red Cell existence, and we managed to "convince" local authorities the case was closed."
"And the detectives?" Operations asked.
"They don't know enough. They're not a threat. For now. We'll continue to watch them." Madeline replied coolly
"And if they become a threat?"
She shrugged her shoulders, exchanging a knowing glance with him.
"We'll deal with it."
"And Nikita and Michael?"
"We'll deal with them too."
Their steps echoed through the hallway as they disappeared into the distance.
***********
The sun showed its face for the first time in several days, just as it were about to go down. The city basked in the sunlight nevertheless, the last raindrops drying off. Frank Holloway walked into his office to find Nikita waiting.
"I would expect you to be on your way back."
"We will be soon," she replied calmly.
"Got what you wanted?"
She nodded.
"You don't work for the FBI, do you? Who do you work for?"
"Don't ask."
"Why? Because you can't reply?"
"No. Because if I do, it will cost you more than you can ever imagine."
She looked directly at him, with an honesty that surprised him.
"Forget it Frank. Forget what you have seen."
"Why?"
"Because the price of knowing is too great."
He looked confused at her, but something in her voice stopped him from pressing the subject any further.
"You and Michael.. are a couple?" he changed tracks, asking a question he already knew the answer to. Somehow, it mattered to him to hear that they have. He wasn't sure why, just that it did matter.
"Michael and me.. we risk it all by having a relationship. We risk more than you can imagine."
"What, being partners?"
She looked out at the horizon. "You could put it like that," she said quietly.
"Then why?"
"You can't keep your heart at bay forever," she replied simply. She turned to look at Frank again, and he was struck by the honesty of her gaze.
"Look no further Frank. Please. For your own sake as well as Rachel's. It isn't worth it."
And with that she walked out, her heels clicking against the floor. He listened to the sound until it faded away, and he was alone again.
"Was that Nikita leaving?"
Even though he hadn't heard her walk in, somehow he wasn't surprise to see Rachel standing by her desk. Slightly bruised, as were he, but she seemed in no immediate danger of falling over.
"Yeah.. she and Michael are going back to the States."
"Did she tell you anything more?"
He shook his head, Nikitas last words echoing through his head.
"I was right though.. they are involved."
Her gaze had wandered to the sunset outside, but he knew she was listening.
"They risk everything by having a relationship. Still, they can't help themselves."
She looked up at him, their gazes locking for an eternity or two. The sun vanished behind a mountain, leaving only the reddish light which they bathed in. Her hair seemed to shine in the light, Frank noticed, and her eyes shone with a glimmer he hadn't seen since.. The last time she looked at David.
"Buy you a beer?" he offered, not wanting to end the night.
"Sure."
Still, neither made a move, just standing there, basking in the last sunlight. And he realised Nikita was right.
"Come on," he smiled, and Rachel walked towards him, her eyes shining.
And twilight embraced the city.
***********
Lastly: Thanks to Suz for betareading, Ness for some suggestions and general encouragement, Aquiel for reminding me she doesn't like to be kept waiting (thanks bunches, it took me an hour to calm down bazooka!!), and finally, bro for the idea in the first place.
***************
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