Once you're done reading, let me know if I should write a second chapter!

CHAPTER ONE: FIRST ENCOUNTERS

Alex looked around the room they had placed her in for the night – four hard concrete walls constantly pushing in on her. The drugs Amanda had put in her bloodstream had worn off, but the feeling that someone was inside her head was still there. She spun around; no one was at the door watching, and there were no windows for anyone to look in. She was alone.

Looking at the floor, Alex began to think. What had she said that made Amanda seem so…cocky? Where did Michael go? Normally he'd visit her frequently, but she hadn't seen him – no, remembered seeing him – since he dropped her off with Amanda. The last time he hadn't checked in with her was when…Nikita. Of course, he must be with Nikita. He always seemed to have a thing about her, love or hate, Alex couldn't be sure. All she knew was that as long as Nikita's 'hunting' was run by Michael, she wouldn't get hurt. He obsessed over her too much for that.

Alex scratched at the back of her neck. The chip felt strange, almost like it was buzzing. Nikita had done some work on it when she first got it, but it had never done something like this. Perhaps they were testing the tracker, or perhaps she was still imagining things. Alex kept on scratching at it, her nails digging into the scar outlining the cut Birkhoff had made, showing the medic where to put the chip. That was right before she passed out due to the anesthetics, and he was unaware she was still awake.

There was a knock on the door. Alex jumped up, her hands pushing into her pockets. She stood there, not saying word. Most people in division would just enter without hearing a response, and she was used to this. No response, no big deal. It was probably a guard doing a check, or maybe Michael if she was lucky.

"So can I come in or not Al?" A voice asked, muffled from the thick door. However, the impatience and sarcasm could be heard loud and clear. Why is Birkhoff here? Alex wondered. She walked to the door, opening it to find him looking the other way. As soon as the handle clicked, he spun around – bed head fully in tact, his laptop by his side. His glasses hung from his neckline, as if he didn't want to hide the bags under his eyes.

"Birkhoff?" Alex asked, stepping back. He didn't reply, but walked in hastily, placing his laptop next to the bed and pulling a chair up.

"Sit down. Percy wants me to run a check on your chip. Since you've spent all day with Amanda, I figured you'd want…"

"To avoid the medic's room? Yeah. Thanks." Alex shut the door and sat down on the chair. She pulled her hair back and bit her lip, knowing that the knife would sting. She could hear Birkhoff breathing, and feel his warm breath on her hair.

"Nice tattoo. You know, Percy hates it when recruits have them. Makes you more…well, noticeable. Unique." He commented, dabbing her scar with a cold anesthetic cream. Alex rolled her eyes. Birkhoff couldn't start a conversation with a normal non-work related comment for the life of him.

"Agent."

"What?"

"I'm an agent now. Remember? That's why I've got this stupid chip in the…."

"Don't diss the chip Al, that's my work deep in your neck." He cut in, almost laughing. Alex smiled, knowing that he probably took full offense to the comment. She shut her eyes, trying to stay calm, preparing for the sleek silver blade to cut into her skin anytime soon. She could see Nikita in her mind, sitting in her apartment, waiting for Alex. The door to the NY loft opened, but it wasn't Alex, it was Michael. Michael with…roses? Alex opened her eyes. Nikita was such a hypocrite. She said how you couldn't get close to anyone at division, but clearly her and Michael had…a thing.

"Done." Birkhoff stated, and the sound of clanking metal sounded in his bag. Alex spun around, reaching for her neck. Sure enough, a bandage covered the scar, and the buzzing feeling was done. Birkhoff smiled at her, "painless right?"

"I didn't feel a thing," she said, allowing her awe to show through her words.

"Well, I'm not just a tech nerd." He smirked, placing his glasses in his bag. Alex smiled, looking at him. She wondered if anyone at division fully appreciated him. She sure did, she actually admired him more than anyone. He did all this work, practically ran division, yet was always picked on by recruits and agents. Sure, he was a bit vain, but he was amazing at his work.

"Birkhoff, do you have a girlfriend?" Alex asked suddenly, the question blurting out of her mouth without a filter. Birkhoff slowly turned to face her inquisitive face. Alex stared at him, wondering what made her ask him such a personal question.

"I know all you recruits – and agents I guess – think I'm a joke. A loser. A nobody. And maybe I am. Maybe I am just a nerd who likes comics and hot powerful females – not the point. Right. Well, Al, you can't tease me. You can't just ask me questions like that to laugh at my answer. Alex, it's not okay." Birkhoff responded, looking her dead in the eye. He seemed sad, lonely, and almost like he was longing for her. Alex felt her stomach churn. He seemed so hurt.

"I'm sorry Birkhoff, I just…I wanted to know. You do so much for the agency, and don't take this the wrong way; you're really tough on everyone. I just was asking." Alex replied, standing up and taking a step towards him.

"No. I don't have a girl. Or a friend. Or a girlfriend. I'm alone." He said, turning his back to her and picking up his bag. Alex almost gasped when she heard his reply. He wasn't trying to hide the sadness in his voice. She could tell how upset he was because of this fact, and how he really wasn't happy with his life. She stepped forward again, and did something she never thought she'd do in her life. She gave him a hug.

Birkhoff froze as soon as her arms entwined through his. Her chest lay on her back, her head resting on her shoulder. His eyes darted to look at hers, but they were shut. Her deep blue eyes here closed, and there was the hint of a smile on her face. Birkhoff stood there, hands by his side, breathing heavily, until she let go. Then he turned to face her face, which was written with sympathy and regret.

Alex watched as he dropped his computer case. She watched as he took a step towards her, his eyes darting across her face and neck. She could see his hands shaking, drawn to her face but too afraid to move. He was nervous, unsure, scared. Alex didn't move an inch, just waited to see what he would do. They stood there for a moment, or what seemed like a day, anticipating the next move one of them would make.

"Michael's suspicious of you." Birkhoff finally said, breaking the silence. Alex nodded, and then went to sit on the bed.

"He's suspicious of anyone who reminds him of Nikita. Who has even come into contact with Nikita. He's just so…"

"Infatuated with her." Birkhoff finished. Alex looked up, shocked. Birkhoff was picking up on this too? He laughed, biting his lip before sitting next to her on the bed, "yeah, when you work in such a close proximity to him it's easy to tell. That's why he's so suspicious and protective of you, because you're so much like her. Smart but crappy with computers, strong and fierce, manipulative and sexy…." He stopped, as her eyes met his.

"Sexy?" Alex asked, moving her shoulder so it brushed against his. He looked at his feet, too embarrassed to answer the question. She laughed and rolled her head back. "Yeah, well, despite my so called sex appeal, no guys here seem to act on their impulses." Birkhoff didn't move, but replied, "It's because if I did, I could get cancelled."

Alex turned her head to face his, just as he realized what he said. Birkhoff sat up straight, his hands shaking again. Alex knew that last sentence might have made him realize something he didn't even know.

"Birkhoff…" Alex whispered, as he moved closer to her, his right hand reaching to cup her cheek. He stared at her lips, then her eyes, and then her lips. Finally, he made the move. Slowly, he moved his lips to hers, shutting his eyes and caressing her face. Her pale pink lips fit perfectly with his rough red ones. He put his other hand on her back, pulling her closer until there was barely any space between them.

Alex sat there, letting Birkhoff have a small fraction of his fantasy, but admitting that this was also something she wanted too. She wanted him to hold her, kiss her, touch her, and tell her it would all be okay. She moved her hands to run them through his hair, not wanting to let any part of him go. His hair, straw like and fuzzy, felt perfect against her blistered hands. They sat there, on the bed, just enjoying the moment.

It was Birkhoff who pulled away first, taking in a breath. He longer to go further, hold her closer and whisper words into her ears, but knew this was risking his life. His career too. She was stunning, funny and witty, but an agent. Co-workers can't be together he kept saying in his head, but her face enticed him.

"NO" Birkhoff exclaimed, jumping up. Alex looked at him with worry. "I can't, it's against the rules and it's stupid. You're a recur-agent. I can't Alex."

"Birkhoff," Alex said, standing up and approaching his ever fleeting self, "I know why you can't. You're a nerd, and nerds don't like girls who just accept them. They think there is something wrong with them when that happens."

"You remember that conversation?" He asked, pausing from his great escape. Alex nodded.

"Now that I think about it, I remember every single conversation we've ever had. From the lecture about computers to the time I tried to kiss your ass for some help. Oh Birkhoff, you're a genius!" She laughed. Birkhoff smiled.

"Alex, can you call me Seymour?" He asked, making eye contact with her again.

"Seymour. So that's what all those other girls call you back home?" Alex giggled, almost blushing at the thought. Birkhoff laughed. "It's my first name, you know, in my I.D. and such. I haven't been with a girl who wasn't…using me, so I suppose it's something I'd want the one to call me. Not saying that you're, you know, just that, I really like…" He rambled on and Alex stared at him with a look of fascination.

"Wow. I…I just….Alex, I don't know how to react to all this." He said, walking to her and taking her hand. No girl, agent or not, had ever shown any signs of liking him. Alex moved closer, leaning on his chest and letting him hold her.

"Just go with it."