/
"Score!" Birkoff exclaimed, retrieving a nonspecific energy drink from the refridgerator, "Not Red Bull, but it'll do."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the large living area, Nikita was pacing in front of the other three Team Nikita members, who were seated casually on the sectional. Hands on hips, she stared directly at Michael, "Any particular reason you didn't tell me he was coming?"
"You don't sound happy I'm here, Niki!" Birkoff accused, striding across the floor and jumping over the back of the sofa, beverage in hand. Nikita ignored the tech genius, her attention remaining on her beau.
Michael shrugged, "Percy sent him on the mission with Alex and I so we'd have on-site surveillance, it was a big op."
"And he let all three of you have extra days off? Doubtful, especially Nerd."
Birkoff opened his mouth to inject, but was halted by his long time co-worker, "Its not as if him being here infringes on our plans-"
"Michael, not only is Percy going to be suspicious that you got Birkoff the time off with you and Alex," She saw the objection in his eyes and finished hastily so he couldn't react, "And don't try to tell me thats not what happened. Not only that, but the asshole could have eyes everywhere! Without Nerd there to intercept-"
"Actually babe," Birkoff chimed in, taking a swig from his drink while a glare was shot his way from the one he was addressing, "I've gone mobile; Anything that could be sent to Division, I see first- anytime, anywhere, no matter where I'm at, even out here in the tundra."
"Impressive," Owen complimented, Alex nodding in agreement.
Nikita, however, still seemed unconvinced so Michael added to the argument, "Not only that, but our trackers can be better monitored with him here."
"Thats right, everyone bask in the glow of my brilliance," The former Shadow-Walker smiled, draining the rest of the enery drink, "Now I wonder if this place has some good cuisine." He stood to his feet, returning to the kitchen.
Nikita blinked, still contemplating the negative aspects of the situatio, but eventually sighed defeatedly, "Alright, fine. I guess I'm happy we're all here together."
"You sound enthusiastic," Alex giggled, trying to cover as much of her body as she could with an afghan.
Owen sitting beside her, nudged her knee, "She just wishes she could be alone with Ralph Lauren over there," His reference about Michael made the Division 2nd in command turn his head and Nikita began to shake hers, "I'm shocked you even own anything that doesn't look like you came from a meeting with Donald Trump." Birkoff began laughing from the kitchen at the poke, munching on a bag of chips.
Michael glowered at the former guardian, "At least I can afford nice clothes."
"Oh yeah I forgot about that big Division bank account-"
"Hey! Don't knock the bank account!" Alex defended, "Its the one thing that doesn't totally suck about Division."
Her addition didn't seem to help as Owen just smirked towards his opposite male, "How much ass-kissing did you have to do for all thsoe suits?" He puckered his lips as Michael was blocked from jumping at him by Alex's small body between the men.
"And you were worried!" Birkoff, still laughing, commented sarcastically to their party's leader.
Even though Nikita rolled her eyes, the arrangement already providing undue stress, she found herself smiling; No matter how frustrating this compelation of unique individuals were, watching them bicker and joke, she felt, for once in her life, she had a real family.
/
"Dammit!" Alex hissed into the abyss of darkness, glancing down to faintly see the step that her, now throbbing, toe had been stubbed against.
It was 3 a.m., four hours since her, Michael, and Birkoff arrived at the cabin and two hours since the fivesome agreed to get some much required rest. Problem was, Alex was wide awake. She had made her way down the staircase, in the direction of the kitchen, however, the step up from the living room to the culinary station had derailed her. The entire space was dim, Birkoff occupying the couch, since only three rooms existed in the cabin- at least thats what she thought.
A lamp that resided on an endtable in the living room flicked on, startling the young agent who spun around to find Owen staring at her. "What the hell are you doing down here?" She whispered, creeping across the hardwood towards thesectional.
"Call me a softie, but I figured with everything Nerd boy's been doing, he deserved a real bed," He answered nonchalantly with an added shrug.
Alex took a seat on the tan colored fabric, pilfering Owen's blanket, "You know Nikita doesn't like us calling him that."
"She started it!"
"Yes, but thats because they've had a relationship for years."
"So we're just the outsiders to the original Division threesome?"
"No," Alex protested, her nose scrunching at the suggestion, "We just.. we all have different.. connections."
He could've teased that statement, but was more fascinated by her tiny frame concentrating on bundling in the comforter, "How are you so cold? You're from Russia, isn't it like constantly white there?"
"I haven't lived there in years, my body has gotten acclamated to the weather in the States, and..." She released a deep breath and it was evident she was apprehensive to share the next bit.
"You don't have to tell me," He said gently, scooting a few inches closer to the brunette. She looked up at him, keeping her eyes locked with his and sinking deeper into the comfy cushions.
"Its no big deal," She averted her eyes, indicating the opposite of her assertion, "Its stupid actually; I just... whenever I'm cold, or I shake, it reminds me of being alone and going through withdrawls." The pain of the memory was etched out on her face and it struck a chord with Owen. He hadn't known her very long, but in the short span he did, he'd never seen this vulnerable, ashamed girl that was presented to him now. Sure, he'd been through his shae of difficult times, but Alex was a beautiful, young woman- she didn't deserve the past she had.
He boldly reached under her covering, grasping her chilly hand. She seemed confused at this gesture, but he squeezed her hand, his warmth transmitting to her, "Well you'r done with drugs and you're not alone anymore, so..." His sweet sentiment suddenly took a silly turn as he ripped the blankets off her. She quietly squealed and caught his contagious smile, "We're going to Russian toughness back."
"Hey, I think I already showed you how tough I am," She countered with her lips still twisted in a grin.
"Oh I don't doubt your ability to kick ass and I don't doubt your ability to become immune to the cold again."
She rolled her eyes, "I also had furs in Russia."
Owen was pondering a response when he felt her smaller hand curl into his and he tok advantage of the opportunity. Tugging on her hand, he pulled her to his body.
"What are you-" She began to ask, her back landing on his chest and his arms locking around her abdomen.
"Well I'm not a luxury fur, or even a blanket, but I do have pretty good natural body heat," He said in her ear and she unknowingly snuggled deeper into his embrace and realizing her actions too late, was restrained from breaking free.
The intimacy of the position hit Alex and she squirmed, "Owen, we just met-"
"I'm just trying to help a friend."
He wasn't lying, he did want to assist his fellow teammate, but he also couldn't deny there he felt a genuine attraction- emotionally and physically- to her. After Emily, he barely LOOKED at other women in a romantic way, hell, even just having these underlying feelings for the girl wrapped in his arms consumed him with guilt. Emily was his first real love, he planned a future with her only to have it ripped from him. It'd only been a little over 6 months since his love bled in his arms, was he a horrible human being for finding joy in his time spent with another woman? Did it deminish his love for Emily? Did it mean his love for Emily wasn't as strong as he thought it to be?
Alex was asking herself similar questions. Owen was good looking- that was an unavoidable fact- but she never expected him to be someone that she'd reveal herself to, especially in the short time they'd known eachother. A man she'd known for barely a week, she'd informed him of details Nikita didn't even know! Aside from the lack of extended time, he was a widower and she was with Nathan, a man she really cared for and who treated her amazingly. Consdering these reasons alone, whatever attraction or connection she felt with Owen, it had to remain suppressed.
At the same time, his arms fit so well around her and the heat eminating from his body kept her toasty. "Thank you," She abruptly whispered and Owen covered them with a blanket he had removed earlier.
"Forget about it," He shrugged modestly.
Alex rotated her head to look at him, but noting his face was mere inches from hers and she gulped, "You're a good... friend."
Owen nodded, his eyes locked securely on hers. Slowly, unexpectantly, uncontrollably as if some cosmic magnetism were pulling them, they leaned in . Their lips tentatively met and growing in fervor, but staying relatively chaste. The liplock continued until a gust of wind rattled one of the windows in the living room. The duo broke apart, her slithering from his arms and him paralyzed.
"I.. I.." She stammered, standing to her feet and searching for words simultaneously.
"I'm sorry!" He blurt and they shared a pained look before she sprint up from the scene and up to the second floor leaving Owen, alone, with swollen lips and conflicted feelings.
/
Nikita awoke to a familiar feeling of soft lips and a gruff scruff against her neck. A sleepy smile crawled onto her face, growing even wider as Michael's voice (muffled by his lips on her skin) broke through, "Morning."
"Mhmm... morning," She murmured, eyes still closed. She rolled from her side onto her back, eyes opening to stare up at him; she also noticed the sun beaming in through the windows of the master bedroom. "What time is it?" She wondered aloud and he smirked.
"I figured we deserved to sleep in some," Nikita's eyebrows raised, suspicion written on her expression, but before she could speak, Michael answered her unasked inquiry, "I'm paying you back for those 'Michael, just five more minutes' you always do."
"Michael," She groaned regretfully, running her hand up and down his bare chest, "This is an important day..."
"And five more minutes won't hurt," He leaned down, his lips hovering above hers, "Isn't that what you always tell me?"
Nikita moaned against his lips brushing her own briefly, "I'm a bad influence."
"You are," Michael gravelly voice whispered, kissing her deeply and positioning his body atop of her slender figure. She smiled, the air fill with arousal and the sheets inflamed by their passion, Michael trailed kisses from down her jaw, neck, and chest.
"Fine, five more minutes," She panted in his ear as he brought his mouth back up to collide with hers. Suddenly, she flipped their bodies so her strong legs were straddling his waist, "If you're sure you can handle it."
Michael responded by bucking his pelvis, surprising Nikita but she held her stance. He grabbed her face, pulling her down for another bruising kiss.
Distracted by the entrancing liplock, her back was swiftly slammed back on the mattress and he smirked, "I should be asking you thtat."
"Always have to win don't you?"
"I think we're both winning in this situation."
"We would be if we shut up." Their lips met again, tongues tangling for dominance, bodies intertwining, and each touch igniting a new burst of heat.
However, their love-making was interrupted by the distinct voices of Birkoff and Owen yelling unclear phrases. Michael collapsed beside his lady love, both breathing heavily.
"I'm going to kill them," Nikita growled, daggers protruding from her eyes in the door's direction.
"Not if my bullet hits first," Her beau agreed with the same bitter tone. She sighed, exiting the bed, Michael following as they found clothes to wear for the new day.
"We should just be grateful we had last night," She said, pulling a black sweater over her head.
""Or I could strangle both of them and we could have whatever time we wanted," This statement was rebutted by a look from Nikita and he finished pulling up his pants, then rubbing his forehead in aggrivation, "I know, I know. They're the least of problems." Nikita chuckled sadly, but tried to force a more positive face as he walked up to her and encircled her waist, "I promise we'll have all the mornings, afternoons, whatever we want."
"Yes, we will," She concurred adamently, reaching up and kissing him. They seperated and left the room, embarking on the new day.