The Pierce siblings killed Brandt. They got their revenge and completed their original mission. Yet there was no real cause to celebrate. Sean shifted focus between his tortured sister and the dead psychopath, numbness beginning to set in. Nikita, on the other hand, was starting to collapse. Her muscles were exhausted and strained, and they couldn't hold her up for much longer. She only managed a couple of steps as she attempted to check on Michael, before she fell to her knees. Fortunately, her boyfriend was there to catch her. Alex had cut his bonds to the chair, and he instantly reached out to his girlfriend. He clung to her tightly and she returned the tight embrace, breathing him in and shaking violently.
They had to get out of the basement. Nikita and Michael were injured, and all the shouting and shooting might've alerted neighbors- or worse, the police. The four of them needed to clean the scene and return to the safehouse, where they could be safe enough to heal. How much healing they could accomplish, however, would remain to be seen. The physical ailments of bruises and electrocution would be simple to mend. But the effects of death and torture would continue to weigh them down for a long time. The team had barely healed from their latest encounters with horrible loss and soul-crushing pain. It would take a lot to move on from Brandt.
Yet, they still had to try. With Nikita and Sean starting to mentally check out, however, Michael and Alex had to step in. The two glanced at each other in understanding, and leapt into action. Gently approaching Sean, Alex asked what was the best way to clear the away and leave no traces of the team. She started to realize that a goal helped to orient the Seal. He could shake himself out of most things if he had a mission to focus on. Her question got him to snap out of his thoughts as he considered their best options. Meanwhile, Michael helped Nikita to her feet and led her out of the basement. Neither said anything. They simply continued to cling to one another until they reached the awaiting car outside.
While the battered couple climbed inside the vehicle, sitting practically on top of each other in the backseat and sipping from the water bottles thrown back there, Sean and Alex decided to just set fire to the house. It was foreclosed, no one would be losing anything. And if they set a fast and hot enough flame, Brandt's body and any evidence of the team would turn to ash. Hurriedly, the two put their plan into motion and joined Michael and Nikita in the car. Alex forced herself in the driver's seat, ensuring Sean took a moment to rest. Although he wasn't appreciative of the action, he didn't argue.
Other than a quick check in with Birkhoff, silence filled the entire journey to the safehouse. What was there to say, anyway. A question about how they were doing would be brushed off. And a comment about what had transpired would only make the silence heavier. With her adrenaline, fear, and anger waning, Nikita also began to lose consciousness. She couldn't talk if she was fighting to stay alert. It was a battle she could never win, however. Slumped against Michael's shoulder, her eyes slipped closed and her mind went dark. He simply held her tighter, determined not to let go for as long as possible.
After catching a glimpse of his sister passing out in the rearview mirror, Sean forced himself to stare out the window. His thoughts and emotions were a jumbled mess; however, he wouldn't allow himself to explore them while trapped in a vehicle. Hell, he probably would never let himself explore them. They were too full of an intense fear and hatred he didn't recognize. It was as though a sort of darkness had settled in his gut and was trying to claw its way out. He couldn't let that happen- not then, not ever. Maybe if he kept focusing on the next thing, as he always did, it would all go away. He simply had to know what the next thing was.
No one had a solid answer besides healing. Alex thought she should say something to that effect. No doubt Sean was feeling empty after killing Brandt. She certainly felt the same after Semak died. And, of course, Michael was directionless after Kasim was shot. The Seal didn't have to process his grief and pain alone- the whole team was there for him. They just had to start talking. That potentially had to wait until they were at the safehouse, though. Everything was too raw and fresh at the moment. Some time to process was needed. Nikita also had to wake up.
She hadn't regained consciousness by the time they returned to the safehouse. Michael had to carry her inside. Alex tried to suggest that either she or Sean should instead, since they weren't injured. Yet the agent was set in his ways. He brought Nikita into the beach house, and was instantly met with a nervous Birkhoff. After the four had informed him of what happened, he immediately researched how to care for electroshock victims. The bruises and cuts that had also been sustained weren't causes for concern- they were proficient in healing those anyway. But Nikita's intense torture was alarming. It could have lasting effects the team might not be able to notice. Birkhoff told Michael how to treat her injuries, the key thing being to watch her.
That wouldn't be an issue at all. He would watch over his girlfriend throughout the rest of the night as if his life depended on it. If Michael was being honest with himself, it sort of did. Once Nikita was situated in her bedroom, and her boyfriend vowed to take care of her, Sean felt like it was time for him to go. He should leave, maybe check in with his other sisters. Or, he could return to his empty apartment and drown in his thoughts. Alex wouldn't allow for the second option to occur. She grabbed him fiercely by the hand, and ordered him to stay in one of the extra bedrooms. The two would talk in the morning. He was so close to fighting her off and rejecting the offer, but the sincerity in her eyes held him in place. He was powerless to resist her.
Both Michael and Nikita needed to change their clothes and shower. Yet as she remained unconscious, he refused to leave her side. Eventually, she began to stir. He handed her water and helped her sit upright, but she brushed him off. She only wanted to know if he was alright (which he was) before she stumbled out of bed towards the bathroom. He stared after her, unsure of how to process that. She could still be in shock, and continued to need a moment. If that was the case, he would give that to her. If not, then he needed to pull her back out of her head.
When she got like that, it wasn't good for anybody- especially not herself. Nikita had to express her thoughts and emotions. Keeping it all in would cause her to explode, kind of like what happened in the basement. That in mind, Michael soon followed her to the bathroom. Her dirty clothes scattered the floor, and the shower was running. He was going to leave her alone, planning to talk to her when she was done. But a strangled gasp tearing out of her throat caught his attention. Frantically, he threw open the curtain to see what was the matter. Nikita didn't react to his presence. Her nails dug at the tiled wall as she bent under the spray choking on a sob. Instantly, Michael turned off the cold, harsh water and wrapped her in a towel.
Her body shook with the force of her tears. She clung to her boyfriend as he pulled her out of the shower and held her tightly. She knew she should explain what caused her to sob, but she couldn't form any words. Michael didn't need an answer right away. He simply embraced Nikita until she was calm enough to speak. It was a long while before that was a possibility. The tears fell heavily across her cheeks, and she couldn't stop them. She didn't think she had ever cried so hard in her life. The answer as to what affected her so powerfully wasn't a secret, however. She whispered it harshly into her boyfriend's sturdy chest.
Madeline was dead because of her. She killed her mom. Although Michael stiffened at the words, Nikita kept repeating them over and over and over again. The confession burned through her, consuming her whole. She really was the monster Percy and Brandt said she was. What else could you call the thing that killed her siblings' mother. She was evil and horrible, and she didn't deserve the life she had. Forcibly, Michael made Nikita look at him. His eyes were stern and a bit panicked; however, he ensured his voice was clear. She had been the one to tell him countless times that he wasn't at fault for Hayley's and Elizabeth's deaths. So why the hell would she believe she killed Madeline. They weren't monsters. Percy and Brandt were.
A part of her wanted to fight his words. Instead, she collapsed back into his arms and continued to cry. Nikita hadn't let a single tear fall since her mother died. Yet the floodgates were open then. Michael supported her as she fell apart. He was there to pick up the pieces and ensure she didn't completely shatter. Even when her tears were spent, he never let her go. He helped her ready for bed, and held her as exhaustion pulled at her one last time. Taking care of himself came second to her. He had to make sure she was alright above all else.
In the morning, Sean was calm enough for Alex to talk with him. She did most of the talking, expressing what it was like to lose a parent violently and how empty that revenge felt. She was letting him know that she was there for him no matter what. And although he hardly said a word, he was beyond appreciative of it. So much so, that once she finished, he asked her to come to the cemetery with him to say goodbye to his mom. Smiling softly, she accepted. He was afforded his own moments with his mother's grave. Yet when she held his hand, he squeezed back. He needed her strength more than she knew. Really, he just needed her.
On the return trip to the safehouse, Sean told Alex a couple stories about his mother. He was mostly working through the memories aloud, finally allowing himself to mourn and grieve. But she was a great listener. She also made him feel lighter with her soft laughter at the funny stories and the gentle grins she shot his way. He should've taken her advice to settle and breathe a while ago. He actually felt as though he could survive the loss of his mother. After losing so many people already, he thought he would've been able to handle grief. Yet it wasn't until he let someone in that he knew everything would be alright.
Michael eventually left Nikita alone so they could both clean themselves up properly. It was in the morning, when the harshness of the night before had melted away; however, she continued to feel shaky. A different kind of guilt was eating away at her. The things she had said in that basement to her boyfriend was inexcusable. They were horrible and awful, and she had to atone for them. But before she could, he put a stop to it. He didn't need an apology. He knew she didn't say those things to hurt him, but to hurt herself. Whereas she loved him with all of her heart, she hated herself. That was something he couldn't allow anymore. He had to teach her that her wonderful heart could extend to herself as well.
For the millionth time, the couple embraced. He cradled his girlfriend's head, muttering sweet words in her ear. She whispered that she could see their future again, and they parted. Michael's and Nikita's eyes locked. Affection shone bright in the gaze. The look drew the two impossibly closer to one another, and they kissed. It was hesitant at first. But soon, the kiss grew into the full passion that was usually shared between them. The rocky terrain their relationship had settled into finally eased. They were back on solid ground, and they felt free.
Nikita also felt Brave. Apparently, Alex had retrieved Brandt's phone before they left the house. It was a standard untraceable Division burner, and she figured Birkhoff could do something with it. He couldn't, but the rogue could. She called Percy to taunt and threaten him. He went after her family. And she was going to kill him for it. The strength and security she received from her team would allow her to do so. No power in the world could stop them then. Division was finally going to burn, and Nikita was going to strike the match.
Unfortunately, her confidence from that phone call crashed the second she came back inside from the beach. Sean and Alex had returned from the cemetery. The siblings stared at one another, unsure of what to do. They had to talk- that went without saying. But how could they attempt to heal together when they just barely figured out their own emotions. Nikita also continued to feel bitter over her brother being able to talk to Jill and Sandy about their mother whenever he wanted. Knowing that (and knowing she still hadn't fully mourned her father's death) Michael suggested the two visit both of their parents' graves. Neither had a solid argument against the idea, so they reluctantly agreed.
Sean and Nikita hardly spoke as they traveled to the cemetery. The only words they shared were out of necessity. It was guilt that kept them so quiet. Each felt responsible for their mother's death. She had caused Brandt to go after her, and he couldn't save her despite his Seal training. They couldn't bear being responsible for their sibling's pain. Yet once they stood in front of the graves, that all melted away. The two needed each other more than anybody else. As helpful as their friends were, what they really needed was their brother and sister.
Quietly, they talked about their mom. Nikita mentioned how she and Madeline were rebuilding their relationship, and Sean claimed she was planning something monumental for her lost daughter's homecoming. That fact left a stinging bitterness in their hearts. With the chance of pardons gone, who knew when Nikita could return home. She forced the damaging thought away with a question she had been desperate to ask for years- how had their father died. Sean was shocked she didn't know. Yet he figured when Amanda told her, she didn't deem the cause as important. The details were rough, since he was a teenager when it happened, but he knew it was all because of a heart attack and high blood pressure. Paul Mason barely stood a chance.
It was far less dramatic than she had expected; however, it was closure for Nikita. She breathed deeply for the first time in a long while. After a moment, she was finally able to tell Sean about Daniel. Not just the basics of her loving him and Division killing him, but who he was, how they met, and even how he proposed. Her brother listened intently. No quips or comments came out of his mouth. She flashed him a grateful smile for that, and he returned the expression. The two talked for a little longer, before saying one more goodbye to their parents. Together, they left the cemetery and returned to the safehouse.