Nikita had to talk to Michael. Alex was right, he had to know what she was thinking and what she had experienced. Unloading groceries and supplies wasn't the time to do so, however. Later, she'd grab his hand and walk with him and Barkhoff along the beach. The couple had the time to discuss everything while they waited for that paper scrap result and Sam's trial op. In the meantime, maybe they could seriously consider her NGO idea. It'd be a great way to provide a support system to the former agents. They'd have something constructive to do; it'd be good they were putting out in the world instead of evil. Everyone needed somebody in their lives to care for them. A team of agents just like them saving the world was the perfect thing.
The NGO would also provide more stability for Nikita and Michael. The couple loved what they were currently doing. But there was a future to look forward to. Maybe. They had a dog; they had to think about Barkhoff whenever they jetted off to parts unknown. Nikita was lying if she said that was all there was, however. It had been a week and she was given an explanation for her illness, yet she couldn't stop thinking about that fucking test. She had a stomach bug, she wasn't pregnant. There was only one thing wrong with her. Right. She was stressed, overreacting. Her mind was betraying her. Alex's words couldn't get to her. Despite her thoughts and her instincts (that were frustratingly never wrong), she wasn't pregnant.
Thank God for Sonya and Birkhoff. They returned to the beach house in a full blown argument. Nikita could focus on that, instead of the conversation Alex and Michael were having that she had zoned out of. The nerds' argument seemed pretty bad, though. It even startled Barkhoff, who tried to hide his large frame behind Michael. Before anyone could ask just what the hell was going on, however, Birkhoff loudly pulled the others in, "Tell Sonya we are not eloping."
"Tell Seymour we don't have time for a wedding," Sonya fired back. Michael and Nikita turned away, not willing to add their two cents. When they were engaged they had never imagined a big wedding, simply something small and intimate with their family. After the bullshit they ended up experiencing, they spontaneously went down to the courthouse and got it all over with. The two were determined to spend the rest of their lives together, nothing was going to stop them any longer. So they completely understood Sonya's need to elope. It just wasn't their argument to get involved in.
"What about my family?" Over the years Birkhoff had reconnected with his estranged family. It wasn't perfect and it had its ups and downs, yet they were still important to his life. Like Michael and Nikita, Alex attempted not to get involved. But she couldn't stop herself from nodding. Her relationship with her mom wasn't the best. However, she would want her at her wedding someday, along with the family she had built around her. To her, they were all important. Birkhoff was right about wanting them involved in his big day.
Sonya, Nikita, and Michael, on the other hand, didn't have their biological family around them. All they had was the family they had made themselves, which was just as (if not more so) great and profound. Yet, they didn't understand where Alex and Birkhoff were coming from. It didn't seem like that big of a deal to them. Sonya voiced that, dropping the shopping bags she had brought in on the counter, "We have our family right here. Besides, the wedding isn't even for them. It's for us. They can celebrate at the reception we'll throw when this is all over."
Michael stopped Nikita from interrupting. Sonya's wedding plan was exactly what the married couple had done, yet they had been continuously teased for it over the years. Despite that, the argument wasn't for them to interject into. It had to stay between the engaged nerds. There were still groceries to put away, so Michael redirected Nikita and Alex to the task. Although they finally shifted their attention, they strained to hear what was said next. Birkhoff snapped, not ready to give up yet, "So what? We rush into things without them? Who knows what'll happen with the bastards. We shouldn't cut them out."
"I don't want a long engagement. And you're right. We don't know what'll happen. You saw what Michael and Nikita went through when they tried to fight a war and plan a wedding at the same time," Sonya's tone was calmer, but she was just as firm in her stance. Her example wasn't all that fair, however. There were a lot of things that went down while Michael and Nikita were engaged; it wasn't as simple as trying to do two things at once. Michael attempted to state that, but Nikita shook her head. They weren't getting involved. Alex helped reiterate that by giving him things to place in the fridge.
Birkhoff and Sonya were doing an excellent job ignoring the other three; it was almost as if they weren't in the same room. Barkhoff was even ignored as he nuzzled close to them to try and diffuse the tension. The nerds hardly got into fights or arguments. They were always more or less on the same page, and could come to a solution quickly. It was rare for their stubborn sides to rear their ugly heads, yet once they did there was no backing down- especially for Birkhoff, "I'm not looking to those two as a prime relationship example."
"We've been married for about six years," Nikita couldn't help but blurt out. Alright, so she and her husband had a rocky start. Except they fought for their happily ever after, and they were doing fantastic. That was a goal the nerds could work towards. Instead, Birkhoff and Sonya acted as though they hadn't heard her. They were staring daggers and bickering. Michael sighed, starting to unpack the tech gear they had bought and abandoned. Might as well put those away too while the argument raged on.
As Nikita moved to help him, Alex thought she could add on to the marriage point. Sonya and Birkhoff were too wrapped up in their fight to hear her, and if Michael did so be it. She meant to tease her friend, and get her to open up about what she was thinking. They had the time to talk. And if they were going to dive right in with the bastards, apprehensions had to disappear. Luckily, sharing with friends helped with that, "And might be pregnant."
"Will you shut the fuck up!" The acidity seemingly came from nowhere. Nikita rounded on Alex, shrieking a lot louder than she had intended. She hadn't meant to shout at all, actually. She wanted to nudge her, roll her eyes, and mutter. Instead, she snapped. It was so sudden and sharp, it caught Birkhoff and Sonya's attention. And Barkhoff rushed over to her so she could pet him and calm down. She wanted to settle, she did. But she couldn't stop being so pissed off.
Always able to tell when things were about to explode, Michael gently led Nikita out of the kitchen. They all needed a moment to calm down. The team had been moving non-stop against the bastards, trying in vain to get any sort of information besides the fact that some agents were former Division and Gogol. The reality that their plans had to change because of their new crusade didn't help things either. They needed rest. Michael gave them the excuse, "Why don't we take a time out. Get something to eat. Relax."
Alex was the first to take him up on the offer. She had to change her bandages anyway. She also didn't want to explore what made Nikita snap any further. Sonya and Birkhoff separated, needing time away from one another. Going to their own corners to cool down was probably the best course of action for them; they'd revisit their wedding plans after a while. Michael took Nikita's hand and pulled her outside to the beach, Barkhoff excitedly on their heels. The sun had just set, and the stars were starting to appear. It was a beautiful night to go on a walk. If only Nikita wasn't upset and Michael wasn't confused, "What the hell was that?"
"Stress," Her one word answer was said with bite. That was most definitely the answer. The team was stressed. A lot was thrown at them in a short amount of time. They needed to process, relax, and breathe. Mostly, they needed to adjust to the fact that their lives were once again thrown for a loop. It was the price they paid for being goddamn heroes.
"Alright. But what did Alex say to you?" Michael rolled with it, more focused on what was occurring than arguing. Although their hands were clasped together, Nikita was a step or so ahead of him. She was watching Barkhoff jump and run in the sand; she wouldn't look at him. He gently tightened his grip, and softly pulled her back to him. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he placed a soothing kiss to her head, "What were you talking about while I was gone?"
"Let's just eat. I'm starving," At least Nikita wasn't lying, or attempting to tear away from him. Her previous intent to tell Michael everything vanished. After her emotional outburst in the kitchen, she didn't think she could handle it. Not at the moment, anyway. When she settled a bit more, got better control over herself, she'd share. It had been a long day. The heavy stuff could be put off until the morning.
But Michael wasn't going to let Nikita get away with her brush off. He stopped them, turning her to face him. Green eyes sincerely looked into brown, his light touch brushing away her dark hair. She found herself melting into his hold. Troubles and anxiety were nonexistent at his touch. She was able to release a breath. And he was able to tenderly caress her cheek, "Nik."
"I… I just told her a story about when I was an addict. The bastards are pretty similar," Okay. She chickened out of telling him her anxieties over that damn pregnancy test. Yet Nikita at least told Michael about the story. It was a summary, but one she'd be willing to expand upon later. They'd just have to be somewhere more private than the beach, where their dog was running around sort of unsupervised. He accepted that, willing to wait for the perfect moment.
Nikita and Michael kissed sweetly, a promise for more discussion and actions to come. Their hands held securely to one another once again. They continued their walk, and in step that time. Barkhoff soon ran back to them; he had a giant stick he had found in his mouth. Michael wrestled it out of his grip, throwing it as far as he could. Barkhoff took off, his tail wagging joyously. The couple chuckled, "We'll help the bastards. Better this time."
"Yeah. Now come on. I was serious about being starved," Nikita agreed with Michael while she dragged him to the closest food shack along the beach. He rolled his eyes, but followed after her regardless. They might as well make a date night out of it. They were already laughing and brightening each other's moods. They could get through their stress and apprehension eventually, as long as they were all together as a family.