It was what they could describe as a lazy day. As far as they knew, Division had Percy, Oversight was dismantled, and there was no immediate threat on the team. Sure, Alex and Sean were still dealing with a mess in Russia. And the others were ready to roll out and help the second they were called. Besides that, there wasn't a mission they needed to plan for. They could actually take care of themselves, the safehouse, and their equipment. It would've been nice, if it didn't leave them restless. They felt as though they had to be doing something; there had to be something they could do to further their war. Nothing came to mind besides preparing themselves for the next battle. So, Ryan and Michael pulled out the practice mat and began to spar. The rogue agent didn't think it would've been a fair match against the former analyst. But as he was quickly thrown to the ground, surprise changed his mind, "Where'd you learn that?"
"I am Navy and CIA trained," Michael flashed his trademark smirk. He knew Ryan wanted to spar to keep his skills sharp- he wasn't exactly expecting competition. But why shouldn't the analyst show off what he had learned. Nikita had taught him a lot in the years they had been rogue. That, plus his own skills and surprises up his sleeve, he was certain he was on par with the former Division agents. It wasn't as though he only sat at a desk and sifted through intel while he was in the Navy and CIA, after all. He had been out in the field and had received the training. He was just as much of a capable agent as anyone else.
"You were an intelligence officer and an analyst," Ryan didn't quite know all of that about him, though. Even after all their time working together, the two never clicked as much as Michael had with the other team members. Nikita was his fiancée (they had also known each other the longest) so naturally she knew him the most. But she wasn't the only person he had a strong connection with. Maybe it was because he and Sean were both in the Navy, or because he and Alex were both thrown blindly into the conspiracy that was Division, or because he and Birkhoff worked well together behind the scenes. No matter what, the team was held tightly together by their understanding and care for one another. They were strong and inseparable. It was just where Michael and Ryan were concerned that things faltered.
The men did have things in common. They both wanted to destroy their enemies and end their crusade. They both had family members killed through a Division conspiracy (like Alex, who Michael was able to help process that shock). They both cared for their team. And they were both fathers who couldn't be with their children due to the course of their war. Despite that, Michael could still sense some sort of rift between him and Ryan. A part of him thought it had to do with Nikita- that the agent blamed him for putting her in danger. The analyst blamed himself for that already. Except, there was no use in letting that weigh them down. They had to find some way to be actual friends. Michael could talk to Ryan about their commonalities- maybe help him sort out his complicated feelings for Max, like he had for Hayley. But that could happen later, preferably when they weren't throwing fists at each other, "Can still kick your ass."
"Yeah 'cause I'm a great teacher," Without sparing a glance at the two men, Nikita quipped. Michael became distracted by her walking past, allowing Ryan to finally get the drop on him. He didn't care, however. He was certain he saw his fiancée smirk at the take down. She had done that on purpose. Springing to his feet, he moved to follow her across the safehouse and retaliate in some way. Yet once he reached her, he was able to see what she was up to. She intended to fill in the bullet holes that were left in the walls. It was the last remnants of Carla that had to be cleared away. Although it was necessary to completely clean the safehouse, she didn't have to be the one to do it. She didn't have to fix her old friend's mistakes.
"Hey. You don't have to do that," Softly, Michael attempted to take the spackle away from Nikita. Ryan had remained on the practice mat, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. But the rogue's determined expression matched against the analyst's concerned one drew him nearer. He had thought the stubborn contests he and Nikita had in Division were bad. However, nothing prepared him for the silent battles that could brew between the engaged couple. One was definitely forming at the moment. And Ryan had the sinking suspicion it had nothing to do with the spackle.
"Birkhoff's fixing his computers, I can fix the drywall," Slapping the mixed compound on the wall, Nikita ignored her fiancé. Neither anger nor bitterness was in her voice. She appeared almost robotic-like. The time for grieving had to be over. Birkhoff was left alone in his room while he repaired the damage done to his tech. So why couldn't she be left alone as well. She appreciated everything Michael did for her, and how comforting he had been. But she was a big girl; she could move on and handle things on her own.
"Just let me do it. You can paint it afterwards," If only Ryan hadn't decided to step in. She knew she often said how amazing it was that the team cared so much for each other, and would do anything for one another. But at that moment, she didn't need it. Her partner and her fiancé joining forces wasn't helping. Nikita simply wanted to be left alone for a little while. Was it so wrong to want to sulk in her thoughts. Yes, okay, talking helped. But sorting it all out in her mind first got her to settle a little bit. It at least got her to feel as though she wasn't drowning.
"I'm fine," The brush off worked on Ryan. It was clipped, yet full of power. Michael, however, had grown immune to her diversion tactics. He laid a gentle hand to her defined bicep, stopping all movement. Nikita sharply turned to glare at him, yet it melted when she saw the concern burning bright in his deep green eyes. How could she be angry when all he wanted to do was help. He had been great the night before, holding her ever so tightly as she cried. She could relax in his presence; she didn't have to be the superspy rogue agent all the time. Hesitating, she handed the spackle over to Ryan. She might not have been given the chance to be alone, but she could take a moment to breathe and rest.
"Like. After Brandt fine, or after we took off fine?" Michael just kept pushing her to talk, though. Nikita continued to barely say anything, only sharing what was on her mind when he pried. She had to talk through her hurt; it was how a person could ensure emotions wouldn't explode out of them at inopportune moments. Michael knew he had been terrible at holding onto pain until it just had to bubble out of him in frustration, nearly breaking him. He couldn't let that happen to his fiancée. Or his friend, yet he'd talk to Birkhoff later. Whether she liked it or not, it had to be all about Nikita for the time being.
Ryan would have supported Michael's forcefulness to get Nikita to talk, had he not been confused. There certainly were ranges in her 'fines', from 'I really am okay' to 'I'm barely holding on'. But the first example the analyst laid out as a guide threw him for a loop. He knew there were missions he wasn't aware of. Percy didn't tell him everything about Division (no duh). And there were some early rogue missions he didn't know all of the details of. Yet, whatever 'Brandt' was seemed to shake Nikita to her core. If it was something that awful, shouldn't he have heard about it. If not by her, then at least by somebody, "Brandt?"
"I'm okay. Birkhoff's okay. Let's move on," Nikita harshly brushed past Ryan's confusion and Michael's concern. Although he hadn't meant to, her fiancé had struck a nerve. She had avoided talking about Brandt all those years ago, and she was definitely going to avoid it then. Besides, what had happened with that vile man had nothing to do with Carla. The situations were entirely different. Having enough, she stomped away from the men. Her partner let her go, and refocused on filling the bullet holes in the wall. On the other hand, her fiancé chased after her. She wasn't going to get rid of him that easily, or ever for that matter.
"Hey. Hey. I'm sorry. I just don't want you going through this alone," When he caught up with her for the second time, he gently turned her to look at him. Nikita didn't appear that pissed; she just seemed done with it all. Michael could work with that. Honestly, as long as she wasn't biting his head off, he could talk to her. He simply had to change tactics. He'd go along with her avoidance for a bit, then once she was calm he'd try again. She might have taught him persistence and determination during their crusade, but he always had patience, "Which, yes. I get it. You're fine. So what do you want to do next?"
Nikita actually considered his question. She stepped closer to Michael, relaxing once again. There were plenty of things they could do with their lazy day to take care of themselves. She could be selfish for once, and do whatever she wanted. However, a burner phone ringing distracted her from all of that. It could've been important. She didn't get to ignore it for her own needs. More was going on around her than just her hurt. As she answered the cell, her fiancé sighed. He was so close, yet so far in getting through to her. Especially when he discovered who had called, "Alex, what's up?"
"Good try," Chuckling softly, Ryan tossed Michael an extra spatula to apply the spackle. Despite the eye roll he received in response, his statement truly was praise. The analyst had gotten a lot further than any of them had at getting Nikita to calm down and talk. He had a special effect on her that didn't go unnoticed by anyone. Having him on the team balanced them out. Each member brought their own strengths (and weaknesses) and his was definitely the rational mind and heart. Nikita wasn't the only person that needed that in her life.
"I'm sending you a personnel file we got from Ari's harddrive. It's about a mole," As Alex got right down to business, Nikita was fully focused on her. It was just as she suspected, the call was something important. Everything else had to fall aside for the intel she and Sean had gathered in Russia. However, it was strange that they would be so interested in a Gogol mole. Yes they wanted to destroy that organization like they wanted to end Division. But the team could do that by taking out Semak. Unless the mole was someone detrimental to their safety. Then, they had to take out the threat immediately.
"Who is he?" It was faster if she just asked for the information instead of waiting to read over everything. Besides, that file was all for planning purposes. Getting the name first would put the team in the right direction for their next mission. And, as weird as it was, Nikita couldn't wait to dive into another operation. Running and gunning was the perfect way to get her mind off of everything. It would also distract Michael and Ryan from her. And give Birkhoff a chance to not feel the need to hide in his room. She should discuss that with him, really ensure he knew that killing Carla wasn't his fault- she wasn't upset with him. She'd simply have to find a time when it hurt less, for the both of them.
"She. And she works for MI6," Alex sounded hesitant to give that information. Actually, she sounded regretful. She didn't like what she was saying. And Nikita instantly knew why. There was only one Russian woman they knew who worked for the British intelligence agency. It didn't make any sense, but when had anything they discovered made sense. She glanced towards Ryan and Michael, shock overcoming her features. The news was going to destroy her partner. His brother had already been taken away from him. As had any faith he had for the duties he was performing. When he found out the mother of his child he just learned about was involved with their enemies, he was going to snap.
"What? What is it?" Michael noticed her silent staring first. The pain etching its way across Nikita's features worried him. In fact, it scared him. His concern got Ryan to turn her way as well. She was still on the phone with Alex. The young woman wasn't saying anything, though. She was letting the news settle over everybody. Hell, she was still trying to wrap her head around it too. Hadn't they had enough betrayals. Shouldn't one backstab have been enough. Apparently, in their world, that would never be the case.
"Cassandra's Gogol."