Chapter 11

It is going down. The president is going to Berlin.

Nicolette listened on the headset as she talked to her Russian contact in the FSO. She nodded at nothing in particular and replied, "Good. Here's to hoping that people will see that they had been duped into this war."

Don't be too optimistic. Lot of bad feelings on both sides.

"Tell me about it. So you're on the plane?"

Da. On the security detail. His daughter will be going with him.

Nicolette thought about that for a moment. She then looked over at the wall where everything had been posted on the events that had led them to this. String was strung up making the connections between Zakhaev, Makarov and other things. It was intel gathered by Nikolai and his men, her contacts she reached out to like Mitchell, David's reports… Some was even stuff they had done on their own when it was feasible.

The peace talk rumors and now reality sparked concern. To have something like talks of peace come up on the table… It was bound to bring out Makarov. Her conversations with Yuri gave her some insight but she was reluctant to push since Yuri's story was… intense. From her experience, when things like the calm before the storm occur, those were the times you needed to be on the alert. Something was going to happen and soon. Looking down she replied, "Then the risk is higher. You said he is a good man?"

Yes. He doesn't want this war any more than you Americans do. He is willing to talk.

Nicolette looked up as she finished writing her notes. This was going to be a major thing happening. "Then best be on your guard Andrei."

One of those moments?

"Unfortunately I can't tell anymore but… I think this would be time. Peace is not on the table for people set on war."

Da. The man in charge is a good man. He will make sure we are prepared.

"I don't need to remind you that often the enemy strikes from within?"

I know. We leave for Germany soon. I will talk to you when we land.

"Eyes out Andrei."

I know. Oh by the way, I found out a few interesting things about that name you muttered at our last conversation. I sent it to your email, the usual way. I don't know what it means to you but I know that you are known for seeing things where none exist.

"My lot in life." Nicolette couldn't help but grin. She sobered quickly and added, "I meant it Andrei. Be on your guard. Something isn't right and it all started with that data on Fregata."

Then I will listen. Stay safe my friend.

The call disconnected as Nicolette sighed and looked down at what she had written. It had been now two months since that day that at Hotel Site Bravo. She, Price, MacTavish and Yuri had been collecting information on Makarov but it seemed like the man just fell off the map. She knew though in her gut that it was only a temporary reprieve. She couldn't shake that this was the calm before the storm and the next wave would be harder than ever. It felt like Makarov's shadow was hounding her since she knew that he would never give up the hunt for her.

David had told her privately that there had been some chatter about the search for Anya. She was glad it was a phone call and she was alone because she had paled visibly then. She knew he wouldn't stop but to hear it… She remembered vividly the way his disgusting hands touched her. As much as she would like to blame the revival of those feelings on Yuri with his story, she couldn't. This was the price she was to pay and it was…

Running her hand through her hair, she turned on the television and started flipping channels to get a sense of what was on the news. She glanced down at what was written and then at the wall. She stared at it for some time while listening to the news. So intent was she on the wall she almost jumped out of her chair when Price tapped her on the shoulder but she did manage to grab his hand and twist it before realizing it was him. She apologized for it.

"No worries. Thought you went soft on me Nico."

"Never old man. Just learning how to play it different."

Price looked at the spy that dropped in five years ago. She had changed quite a bit but she was still the same. She had that playful manner along with the sarcasm but she also voiced caution; it was sort of a sign of maturity if one could call it that. He looked at what she had been doing and asked, "New intel?"

"Aye," she replied as she handed what she had written. "My contact in FSO found that there was some suspicious communications and there were reports of activity. Coordinating that with what Mitchell fed on the shipping job… My guess that this is just the calm before the storm."

Price read her notes and looked at the wall. "So you think that Makarov will strike soon?"

"If there is one thing that I learned is that for a man like Makarov, peace talks are the last thing that he would want. He is out for blood."

"Mercenary is more like it."

"No. He believes like Zakhaev that the West is the root of all evil. Western hypocrisy is what is tearing the nation apart and… blah… blah on that. It is pretty much like the bastards my brother chases down in the Middle East." Nicolette turned her attention to the television. She sighed a little and added, "Ever since we got the name Fregatta, I get the feeling that something big is coming. The peace talks coming up…" She clicked her tongue.

Price watched her. He had no reason to doubt her since she was good with the intel. She went above and beyond the call of duty in this, even managing to secure them some weapons along with upgrades. MacTavish spent the days working with them to make sure they were more than the piss poor pieces of shite that they were.

As if she knew what his intentions were, she said, "That computer has a secure uplink. We might want to warn friends to keep an eye out."

"Seeing things where they aren't supposed to exist again, Nico?"

Nicolette looked up with a slight grin at Price as he went to have a seat. "My lot in life, old man. I am serious though."

It was enough for Price to take a seat and begin the connection. He looked over at her as she watched the television. "Are you alright?"

"If you are asking about nightmares, you know the answer to that." Nicolette flipped the channel to another newscast. The last had been in Russian. This one looked British or German. She wasn't sure. "Just that this thing all started with a lie. A valuable commodity."

Price looked at her. "Truth is the first casualty of war, Nico. But who defines what is true?" he looked at the screen and entered what he wanted. The response he got had him grin slightly and he typed his response. He read their response and typed in, 'Kingfish still in play.'

"A matter of perspective," Nicolette replied as she looked over at Price. She looked back at the screen and turned the volume up.

The Russian president is flying to Hamburg to negotiate a peace treaty with NATO delegates.

"I won't argue with that."

However many Russians still blame America for the massacre at Zakhaev Airport.

Price heard Nicolette mutter under her breath as they watched the footage from the security cameras. He had learned from MacTavish that she had developed the cover ID for their man and it was solid. Listening, he heard her cursing herself for that and Shepherd. Price wouldn't put it above Shepherd to do that. Hell he tried to kill them to create this war.

"Truth is a matter of perspective, Price," Nicolette said as she continued to watch. "Even a lie becomes the truth. The bigger the lie, the more people are willing to believe it. Makarov was counting on that with this. How do we fight against that?"

Price paused a moment and then replied, "The duty of every soldier is to protect the innocent and sometimes that means preserving the lie of good and evil."

"Good and evil is a lie?" Nicolette turned to look at Price. Her brow was raised as she tried to comprehend his words.

"War isn't natural selection played out on a grand scale, Nico. Things are set in motion but people make it so." Price reached over and put a few more notes up on the wall. He glanced over to see that she was still watching him and expecting more. He continued, "You are right in that truth is a matter of perspective. The only truth that I've found is that the world we live in is a giant tinderbox. All it takes is someone to light the match."

Nicolette made a sound at that. "Huh. I find that everything is interconnected in some way. The world we live in is an intricate system supported by smaller systems. Change one and it changes the whole. Following Newtonian principles for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."

"And you think that applies here?"

"Change a part of it… throw the monkey wrench in…" Nicolette replied with a shrug as she looked back at the broadcasts. They were still going on about the peace talks before switching to news about the state of war in the United States.

Price watched as her face became pinched as she watched. It was going on how troops were able to push back the Russians from New York but there was still devastation over D.C. Her forefinger began to tap on the arm of the chair. He ventured, "Got family there?"

"Yes. Excuse me."

Price let her go. As far as he was concerned, she had been working hard at both ends. She didn't take enough breaks in all of this and really could one do that? He didn't know much about her personal life but he did know she had a brother, call sign Santana and that they were essentially orphans. This business was going to get much harder on them.

"Please don't be upset with S64."

Price looked to see Addy making her appearance on the other computer. "I'm not upset."

"Just asking, Captain Price. The news about home is sensitive. Her adoptive mother is still there somewhere."

Price looked at the AI as she stared back out. "And do you know anything?"

"Unfortunately no. While I can access surveillance anywhere, sometimes…" Addy drifted off. "I have widened my search parameters. Santana is alive and well."

"Well that is a relief." Price looked at the wall again. "Did you find anything useful in tracking down Makarov.?"

"I'm sorry Captain. But as with this situation…"

"If the bastard doesn't want to be found."

"True but it is wise to consider that S64 had her contact stake out to watch the president of Russia. If anything that is the key."

Price looked at the data the AI pulled up. "You don't need to show me poppet. I trust Nico. Let's just hope that the bastard shows his face."


I've been keeping an ear out Nicky but you know the state of things back home.

"I get you." Nicolette heaved a sigh knowing that it would be visible to her brother on the laptop screen. She adjusted her position on the bed as she crossed her ankles to allow for the laptop to rest on her lap. "I know you got her out Kyle but… Not knowing where and…"

You know that the house is only a house. Karen is fine at one of the camps. I did speak to her a couple of days ago.

"And I sleep better knowing she's still around."

She still wants you to call. She doesn't quite buy my excuse that you are busy on the frontlines.

Nicolette chuckled weakly at that, "You never could bullshit around her. Me on the other hand…"

Right. You were the one that was able to get away with half the crazy shit you do now. Remember that one time we joyrode in Luca's convertible?

Nicolette couldn't help but smile and laugh. She remembered that well and Kyle had been the one to take the blame even though she put on the tears and said she did… and it was true. "I did try to take the blame as I rightfully should."

Yeah right. A good little girl like you could never do any wrong even when there were witnesses to when you punched that little bastard for hurting Henry.

"We look after our own right Kyle?"

We do Nicky. It was a promise I made when we were dumped into the system. No one was going to take you away from me… but I would have let you go if it would have been the best thing for you. You're my big little sister.

"I'm just glad it worked out the way it did." Nicolette twisted her ring and in view of the camera. She smiled at her brother and noted that he looked well even though she could see that there wasn't much time for down time. "Just let her know that I'm okay. I'm glad you are."

Hey she believes me that you are okay. She knows I don't screw around with that. I hope things are working out wherever you are. Hey… you know I don't believe the crap they're saying about the Scotty and Price?

"I know so because you would have probably traced this and I would have fought you tooth and nail to stop you."

No one knows hacking better than you Nicky. It is the one thing that people wouldn't expect from you. You're a genius.

"And a basket case."

Nicolette chuckled when Kyle made a sound at her assertion. She talked to him a little bit more before he had to go. She gave their customary goodbye, which was more of a see you later. She couldn't help but do her kiss for luck when he signed off since he was busy on a job that was tracking down activity that looked like it was heading for Hamburg. That had her worried but at least there were people covering the exits so to speak.

"Kyle doing alright?"

Nicolette looked up as she closed the laptop on her lap and saw MacTavish standing there with a couple of mugs. She couldn't tell if it was coffee or not but it wasn't like it would matter. She had tasted worse and some things that she would attribute to lack of judgment. She teased, "How do you know I was talking to him?"

MacTavish walked into the room saying, "Because you're in here, been in here for the last hour or so." He handed her one of the mugs and took the laptop off her lap. Placing it on the nightstand beside her, he sat on the edge of the bed facing her. "And Price mentioned that you walked out after watching the news… what is going on back home for you." He stared at her as she held the mug in her hands. "You don't have to hide, Nico."

Nicolette looked down and sighed, "I know Karen is fine. She's at one of those camps or something like it. Kyle does what he does and I'm hiding in a hole."

MacTavish understood what she was feeling. "You're not useless," he said. "As much as you'd like to be out there… It's okay to worry about yourself you know."

Nicolette gave a soft smile as her fingers rubbed the mug. She could feel the heat on the ceramic warming her fingers. It was soothing to some degree. It wasn't as good as when MacTavish warmed her hands for her. "Put that way makes me feel I'm selfish but I get what you're saying. It's just… hard. I feel like a shadow is dogging my steps and I can't do anything without the risk of being spotted. I like getting my hands dirty."

MacTavish listened to her. It was a lot to take on her shoulders and one had been persistent since the day she joined the 141. It wasn't her fault since she was doing what she was supposed to be doing but… He got the feeling that she had it harder than he and Price did. True they were wanted men and there was that fear of being ratted out but… it seemed different for her and he could only guess at the reasons why with some that he was privy to. "I know, love."

Nicolette looked at MacTavish. He had it worse because he had been ganged up on by Sanaa, her and Price during his recovery. She couldn't help but smile at him because of who he was. "Now I feel terrible since you seemed to have it worse."

"If I didn't, then I wouldn't be here." MacTavish shrugged like it was nothing. "If anything me and Price are grateful that you thought ahead for this." He gestured all around. "To be honest, when I found you here, I didn't think that you would need it and the briefest hint that you were planning on leaving."

Nicolette saw the old tension from nearly five years ago flare up a little around his shoulders. "You know that I wouldn't leave willingly but if I thought it to be best."

"And I know I didn't make things easy on you."

"I think both sides can take blame and… water under the bridge." Nicolette rubbed her finger along the rim of her mug as she looked up with clear and bright eyes. "I'm not leaving you guys. And it's not because I don't have anywhere else to go with Makarov looking for me."

"I know that. And that is not you." MacTavish leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "As you say, you look after your own but you and I both know that it means a lot more to you than what soldiers do in battle."

"You've always known me… even when I was a pain in your arse." Nicolette couldn't help but giggle as she attempted to imitate a British accent. She took a sip of what was in the mug since it was cool enough and the taste surprised her. She looked at MacTavish who was grinning at her as he took a sip from his. "Chocolate?"

"Found it in a cupboard somewhere. It looked pretty good though I don't know how long it was in there."

MacTavish expected the punch and dodged it without managing to spill. He should have expected the pillow flying towards his head and missed. It was a wonder nothing spilled but they were laughing anyway. "Still punishing me for being an arse?"

"That was mild. I could have dumped your ass on the ground." Nicolette took another sip of the hot chocolate and relished the taste. It wasn't that easy to make powdered stuff that was generic. This was different. It reminded her of when she first came there and started this. It was good. Looking at MacTavish she decided to stave off disaster and said, "Where did you find this?"

"Would you believe me if I said I found it?"

"To a point. We all need help at some point." Nicolette took another sip and grinned slyly, "Some more than others."

"And I seem to recall that you needed help because you couldn't shoot."

"As I told you troglodytes before: I said I could shoot. I never said I could do it well."

"And we figured out the solution to that didn't we?" MacTavish inched his way closer.

Nicolette heard the playful tone and knew what he meant. How could she forget when he was the one that started it all? She had finished her chocolate but she didn't want to put it down just yet. As their game went, it was a pretty good barrier. She noticed that he had put his to the side and mentally prepared for anything he decided to pull. She still had an advantage though. She gave a slight smile as she sat up and forced him to chase her. "I wouldn't know," she teased, "I'm still a terrible shot."

"Nah. You're a sharpshooter." MacTavish had managed to take a hold of one of her hands. He brushed his fingers over her hand, his eyes lingering on her wrist. "When you hit, it's one shot, one kill." He lifted her hand and gave a kiss to the underside of her wrist. His gaze locked onto hers.

Nicolette sighed softly as she felt MacTavish's lips touch her skin. His breath tickled in that pleasant way that always relaxed her. Part of her just wanted to cave and give in but she held out. "No. I'll admit that you're the better shot. I'm just… sneaky."

"Sneaky, eh?" MacTavish pressed another kiss but moving up her forearm. "You have anything for that?"

"Maybe another pillow to your head." There was no heat to her words as she smiled at MacTavish. She controlled her breathing as MacTavish kissed up her forearm. His kisses were feathery light and drove her crazy. "Expect the unexpected, Soap."

MacTavish hummed at that as he smiled up at her. The hum turned into a chuckle when he saw how hard she was trying to control her reaction. He moved his way up and brushed his fingers against her arm. He managed to grasp her mug and felt the tremors that indicated her self-control was fading and fast. "I'm waiting Nico. What are you going to do?"

Nicolette allowed MacTavish to take her mug away and put it on the nightstand. Her self-control was quickly becoming frazzled. She knew it and he knew it and he was exploiting it. Well… She couldn't help but let her breath hitch a little. She waited until he paused to look up her and caught him off guard when she swooped and planted a gentle kiss on his lips that had her grin when she pulled back slightly. She teased him, "Expected that you Scottish bastard?"

"No," MacTavish admitted before giving a playful growl at her and swooped in to capture her lips. His arms wove around her body as he pressed her to him. He chuckled when she pressed her cool hands on his lower back and ran his own up her back to feel the muscles glide under his hands and moved gain dominance over the kiss. "But I planned for contingency," he teased, causing her to chuckle.


A/N: Looks like Nico has a man in place and has a nice conversation with Price. Followed by Soco moments. More to come next time of Tides of War...