Putting the Gun Down
Chapter 9: A Shot in the Head, A Kiss on the Cheek
Elizabeth moved quickly through the nearest vent and back to the bathroom. She slipped back into her dress as fast as she could, checked her hair in the mirror, and exited with the door hitting the back of a Division agent. He turned around swiftly pointing a large rifle at her. Even with the mask over fce she knew it was Topher. Much like Alex he had just come out of recruitment.
The boy's eyes widened as he recognized Elizabeth's face, "Crow? What the hell are you doing here?"
"Shut up," Elizabeth whispered. "I'm under cover. If you break my status Percy will have both of our heads."
"What were you doing in the bathroom?"
"Do you really want me to answer that question," she raised an eyebrow at him. "Just escort me back to the rest of the guests."
"Right," Topher said with a large sigh afterward. He grabbed her arm and aimed the rifle at her while they walked back into the main hall. He roughly let her go and yelled, "Sit down!"
Ryan was sitting close to Princess Christina. Elizabeth sat on the floor next to him. "Did I miss anything?" she whispered discreetly.
"The princess just gave an inspiring speech," Ryan said sarcastically. "Where's your headset."
"I gave it to Nikita," she replied. "Quick, give me yours."
"Here," he said pulling the headset off his ear and giving it to Elizabeth along with his cellphone.
She moved fast trying to find the frequency Nikita was on on her walkie talkie so she could listen in. Elizabeth stopped as soon as she heard her voice. "Attention NYPD commander."
"Okay, whoever this is, this is a reserved channel you're gonna have to back off-"
"I'm inside the museum," Nikita cut the officer off.
"Identify yourself."
"I'm your eyes on the inside," she said vaguely. "There are roughly fifty canaries in the main hall guarded by six or so crows. They have assault rifles and other small arms. They are very well trained and extremely dangerous."
"Okay, what do they want?" the officer asked.
"Prince Eric, but he's safe with me."
"Oh yeah? And what do you want."
I've been asking myself the same question, Elizabeth thought.
"I want you to save the day big guy. Stand down your snipers. Do not engage these guys."
"What about the hostages?"
"Once I get Prince Eric out of here," Nikita paused for a moment and corrected herself. "Once I get the prince and another hostage out, everyone will be fine. The gunmen will recognize the tactical situation. They will do the smart thing and surrender. It's what they've been trained to do."
"So you just want me to sit here and wait?" the officer sounded like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Right," Nikita responded. "Give the Prince to protected custody. Can you do that?"
"Okay tell you what? Bring him to me, he'll be safe."
"Okay, good. As long as we can keep things cool." Elizabeth and Nikita both heard the line go dead. "Hello, do you copy?"
"Hello Nikita," Michael's Batman voice flowed into the speaker.
Elizabeth had to do her best not to show shock across her face. Despite it however, Ryan could tell something was suddenly bothering her. "What's wrong" he asked?
Elizabeth covered her headset with her hand and whispered to him. "Michael's here."
"Michael," Nikita's voice came through the headset again.
"Walk out now," Michael ordered calmly.
"No can do," Nikita said.
"You know you play this game, things are gonna get a little messy."
"Things are already messy, Michael. I thought you didn't take part in Percy's missions for hired jobs?"
"I do what I have to do."
"So do I," Nikita replied. "You have to know that right?"
"I came here to get my people out.
"Let the Prince leave safely then."
"I'm not negotiating."
Hearing the two of them talk to one another was hard for Elizabeth. It was almost painful. They loved each other. That was clear before Nikita left Division. It was hard for them before, but at least then, one hadn't betrayed the other. And now it seemed that's all they ever did. Nikita stabbed Michael in the back, and then Michael stabbed her in the back. Elizabeth's problems with Birkhoff were easy compared to theirs.
Once Michael's end of the line went dead, Elizabeth spoke up. "So what's the plan? Michael and his strike team will be in any second."
"I- how do you know he has a strike team?"
"Basic Division protocol," Elizabeth replied. "And do you honestly think Michael would come charging in here after you by himself?"
"Good point," Nikita said. "Hold on a second." Elizabeth did as Nikita said and waited for a response. "I know their plan. Can you get into the security office?"
"I can try," she said.
Elizabeth watched as Christina got up. "What are you doing?" Elizabeth immediately recognized the sound of Leela's voice.
"Someone has to talk to them," Christina replied to Leela. "Everyone is looking to me for leadership."
Elizabeth watched as she swaggered over to Topher. "Hold it," he said pointing his rifle up at her.
"On behalf of the hostages, I would like to speak to the person in charge."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and stood up. "Princess, someone should go with you to ensure you aren't harmed. I'd be happy to accompany you."
"I can do it on my own," Christina said bluntly.
Elizabeth gave Topher a wink and he nodded in understanding. "She goes with you."
Christina and Elizabeth walked into the security office together. When Stephen turned around the first thing he said was, "Crow?"
Just one more person shocked to see me tonight, Elizabeth thought.
"You know her?" Christina said crossing her arms.
"She's a fellow agent," he said before turning to Elizabeth. "You're under covert status. You should be back with your target."
"My target doesn't suspect anything," Elizabeth defended. "And clearly from the way this night is going, you need my help. I overheard Alex and Topher. Nikita's here isn't she?"
"Yeah, and she's got the Prince."
"I know how to flush him out," the princess said confidently. "Ask one of your gaurds to get the assistant. Her name is Leela. She and the Prince are…very close."
"That's a brilliant idea," Elizabeth said but on the inside she was screaming. She had made a promise to help this girl and to help Nikita. And she never goes back on a promise.
When Leela came in, Elizabeth could see how terrified she was. But Elizabeth could show no sympathy. Alex helped Elizabeth tie her to a chair and the whole time they were looking at each other, neither of them knowing what to do.
Stephen forced Leela to talk into the speaker system. "Eric?" her voice was shaking. "Eric, I'm sorry. Sorry that you were forced to marry psychopath." Christina slapped Leela straight across the face. Elizabeth couldn't help but smirk at Leela's comment.
"Wherever you are," Stephen spoke out to Nikita. "Pick up a house phone. I understand this woman is a person the prince cares about."
"She won't answer," Elizabeth said. "Nikita's too smart for that."
"You have five seconds before I shoot her," he spoke out to Nikita again. Elizabeth shook her head knowing that despite having his gun out, there was no way Stephen would shoot the only leverage he had. "Five, four, three, two, one." He frustratingly put the gun don on the desk. And turned off the comm. "This won't work. Nikita knows a bad trade when she sees one."
"I told you," Elizabeth said.
"Well it was worth the try," Christina said. Her voice became fiercer. "Kill her." Stephen, Alex, and Elizabeth all gave her a strange look. "She knows about our arrangement."
Stephen pulled out his second gun and just as he aimed it at Leela's head, Alex moved forward. "Wait." She turned the comm back on and now she was the one speaking out to Nikita. "Nikita do you hear me?" Alex broke off the zip tie that held down Leela's right hand, and suddenly Elizabeth knew exactly what Alex was doing.
This girl is smarter than I thought, Elizabeth thought.
"Hear this," and in one swift movement, Alex broke Leela's finger. Leela screamed loudly. "That's one finger. I'll break another every minute until you pick up the phone. You do the math on how long you've got."
"Stop it. It's not helping anyone." Nikita had finally picked up the phone. The location appeared on the screen.
"South eastern wing. Sub-basement. Meet me there," Stephen ordered into his headset. "Nice work. Looks like we didn't need you after all Crow."
"The birds have to leave the nest at some point right?" Elizabeth said sarcastically.
"Keep her on the phone," he said to Alex before leaving with a sniper rifle in hand.
Alex walked over to the comm and spoke. "Alright this is how it's gonna go down. You have five minutes to turn him over. Then your time is up. Do you understand?" Alex's voice was suddenly much more forceful."
"I understand I'm going to kick your ass," Nikita replied slyly.
Elizabeth could see a small smile starting to show on Alex's face. "Well you're welcome to come and try. Just three of us here. No problem for the famous Nikita right?" Elizabeth took note on how Alex warned that there were three guards on their way to Niktia. Alex turned to Christina, "You need to get back out there. Be the good Princess."
"What about her?" she said referring to Leela. "She know everything."
"We'll take care of it," Elizabeth replied.
Christina sighed and as she walked out of the room she said, "I hope your colleagues do the same."
"Trust me," Alex said as they heard the door click closed. "It's gonna be ugly."
Gun shots started blaring. "Nice work back there by the way," Elizabeth said. "I see why Nikki likes you so much."
"Thanks," Alex replied. "With all due respect, what the hell are you doing helping Nikita?"
"It's like she said before. It's a long story. I'd be happy to tell it to you later. And don't worry. I don't plan on telling Division you're little secret."
The sound of gun shots slowly came to an end. "Sounds like it's over," Alex said. The comm system turned itself on. Someone was trying to reach them.
"Eric," Leela cried out into the comm system.
"This is Michael. We're getting the assault. Code Green."
Alex and Elizabeth looked at each other and nodded, knowing it was time to let the girl go. "You wanna see your prince?" Alex pulled a knife out of the holster on her leg. "Get out there," she pulled off the other zip tie. "Get out there now."
"I don't understand," Leela said massaging her broken finger.
"I'm sorry," Alex said. "I had to do that to make this all work."
"To make what work?" Leela asked.
"It's over," Nikita's voice came through the comm.
"We're alone," Elizabeth said.
"Leela's coming your way," Alex added.
"I'll take her," Elizabeth said.
"Great," Nikita replied with relief. "Send her to the roof."
"Got it," Elizabeth replied.
"Hey, Alex," Nikita's voice spoke out to her. "Way to think on your feet girl"
"I'm still thinking."
"Come on Leela," I said. "My name's Crow. You can trust me."
"How can I trust someone with a name like that?"
"Fair point," Elizabeth replied, "But we've got to get you out of here. The stairs to the roof are just down the hall."
When they got to the roof Nikita and Prince Eric were already running towards the fire escape. "Eric!" Leela yelled.
He turned around and saw her. "Leela!" They embraced and as they did so Leela was lifted off her feet. She kissed him and he asked "Are you okay?"
Elizabeth looked at Nikita and could see the pain in her eyes. She was thinking bout Michael. "Guys we have to go. Head straight for the cop cars okay? Do not surrender to the FBI."
"What about you two?" The Prince asked.
"The police and I don't mix," Nikita replied.
"And I'll be safer once I get back to my friend Ryan," Elizabeth told them.
"Will we see you again?"
"Hopefully not," Nikita answered. "For your sake." The Prince handed the rifle he was holding off to Nikita. "Fight for what you want."
"I will, if you will," Prince Eric looked at Nikita sincerely, but Elizabeth was also effected by his words. Mainly because she didn't know exactly what she wanted.
"Thank you," Leela said to both of the women.
"Nikki we gotta go," Elizabeth said.
Nikita nodded. She pat the Prince on the shoulder and the partners ran away. "We have to split up. Meet me in the alleyway by the restaurant across the street in 2 hours. We'll talk then. I promise."
"Okay," Elizabeth replied. "How are you going to get out of here?"
"I'll figure it out."
"I was just going to suggest you knock out one of the agents and put on their FBI uniforms. There too bulky for anyone to notice whose inside."
"Not a bad idea," Nikita replied.
"I know. I'll see you soon." And with that, they split up into two different directions.
Elizabeth met Ryan outside with the large group of captives either talking to the police, leaving the area, or just waiting around to find out what exactly happened. "That seemed like a close one," Ryan sighed while pulling off his bow tie."
"It was," Elizabeth replied. She could see Ryan looking around and making sure they weren't being watched. "There's a restaurant across the street. What do you say we go get something to eat?"
"Sounds good to me," he replied.
"Great." The pair walked to the restaurant and like the gentlemen he was, Ryan opened the door for Elizabeth. "Thank you."
"My pleasure," he smiled back at her. "Earlier, I was going to say you looked really beautiful, but you always do so…" his sweet voice trailed off.
"Easy there Fletch," Elizabeth smirked. "I think your blushing."
He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "Yeah well, I-"
She looked him in the eye and said, "But thank you. You don't look too bad yourself. And I'm not just talking about tonight either." She watched his eyebrows raise. "Sorry. I'm not very good at the whole flirting thing. My last relationship – or whatever it was– anyway, we kinda skipped the flirting and romance and went straight to… everything else."
"He really did a number on you didn't he?" Elizabeth didn't reply. The two were seated a few minutes later and as Elizabeth was scannint her menu Ryan bursted out with a question. "Do you still have feelings for Birkhoff?"
She slowly put her menu down trying to find the right words to say. "I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't." She watched his eyes lose contact with her own. "But I'd also be lying to myself if I told you I didn't feel something between us. I'm not really sure what it is, but it feels different. A good different."
Ryan's face brightened. "Well as long as we're being honest, I feel it too."
Elizabeth smiled genuinely at him. She wanted to reply but was interrupted by the waitress. "Hello, my name is Sophia. I'll be you're waitress for the evening. Can I get you something to drink?" Ryan coughed and Elizabeth straightened her back.
"I'll just have a water," Elizabeth answered.
"I'll have the same," Ryan said.
"Great," she replied with a large and cheesy smile. It was clear she had had a long night. "I'll be right back. You look like you came from the event at the museum. What happened over there?"
"Sorry we're not at liberty to say," Elizabeth replied just wanting the woman to go away.
As Sophia went to get the drinks, Ryan sighed. "Well that certainly ruined the moment." Elizabeth giggled. "You were going to say something before."
"Honestly I don't really know what I was going to say." Elizabeth was now clearly blushing. "But I don't know if I'm ready for anything too intense. Especially considering it hasn't been that long since I ended things with Sey. And even though he may not realize it, things are still a little awkward for me when I talk to him. Not to mention I've never really had a boyfriend and Division thinks relationships are dangerous. "
"We'll take it slow," Ryan said. "Considering we've only known each other a little while I think that's a good idea. We don't even have to hold hands if you don't want to."
"I don't think I'd mind that." Elizabeth reached her hand across the table and Ryan took it. "But I also don't want to give you the wrong idea when we have to put on a show for Division."
"Right," Ryan nodded. "The Elizabeth I know isn't secretly Crow, the super spy."
"Exactly," Elizabeth smiled. "She's a sweet and innocent reporter who just might be a little clumsy."
Their drinks came too soon and eventually so did their dinner. Elizabeth had enjoyed her time with Ryan. He made her laugh and he understood her in ways that no one had in a long in a long time.
In some ways Elizabeth felt like she was in a completely different world when she was with him and they were just talking. She didn't have to worry about her past or Division. It was just her and Ryan living a seemingly normal life. It was strange to think that if it wasn't for Percy, she wouldn't have met Ryan. She reminded herself to thank Percy before she would destroy him.
Time got away from them. And Elizabeth suddenly realized it was time to meet up with Nikita. "I have to go." Elizabeth said.
Ryan looked up at the clock and said, "Oh yeah right, you have that meeting you mentioned. You go. I'll take care of the check.
"Are you sure? Because I can-"
"Really, it's fine. Go." Ryan pulled his wallet out of his jacket pocket. Lizzie stood, grabbing her purse in the process. "And good luck."
Elizabeth blushed softly at Ryan's sincere words. "Thank you." Before leaving she placed a small kiss on his cheek. He smiled back up at her, almost as if he was surprised by it.