Nikita refused to leave her brother's side. Michael had to pull her away so the doctors could operate. She wouldn't rest, wouldn't relax, wouldn't breathe. Fortunately, the surgery didn't last long. The bullet was removed, muscles were mended, and the threat of bleeding internally was nulled. The team could move Sean to the safehouse to heal, despite the doctors' wishes. Michael and Alex even grabbed medical equipment on their way out of the hospital. They had to act around Nikita, however. She continued watching her brother like a hawk, ensuring his chest fell and rose and his heart beat steadily. She wouldn't let him slip away.
The three were gentle with Sean as they slowly returned to the safehouse. They also set-up a cot and an I.V full of saline in the livingroom so he wouldn't have to be alone. Ryan and Birkhoff immediately helped where they could. Yet once Sean was resting on the cot, slowly gaming consciousness, there wasn't much else to do. Nikita simply hovered as she constantly fussed with his blankets and the I.V drip. It eventually woke Sean up; though, it took his mind a second to catch up to his senses. All he could manage was a mumble, "It's a good thing you never became a doctor. I think leaving your patient shirtless is a bad idea."
A grateful sigh escaped Nikita. She hadn't even known she was holding her breath until her brother spoke. She was relieved that he finally regained consciousness. That was a good sign. He was on the mend and he could be better soon. She really hoped he'd be better soon. Although her body was slumped in the chair she had dragged next to the cot, her mind continued to sprint with anxiety. She wasn't certain if she'd ever be able to relax again, not while Sean was so hurt. She needed to watch after him, take care of him. At least in doing so she was still able to joke, "I'm still surprised you got into the Navy Seals. Aren't you supposed to be able to take a bullet?"
"Joining your team softened me up. That's what happens when you join sissies," Sean muttered, his eyes slipping closed again. He fought to open them, survey his surroundings and understand what was happening, but he was just too tired. Nikita smiled softly at him. She adjusted his blanket so that it covered his shoulders. The team didn't want to risk pulling a stitch or worsening the wound, so they didn't put a shirt back on him. Besides, dressing him in sweatpants was a feat unto itself.
"Sissies? What are you, seventy?" Chuckling softly, Nikita brushed her brother's hair off his forehead. He was warm to the touch, but not feverish. He didn't have an infection, thank God. Yet Sean continued to take shallow, haggard breaths, and grimaces of pain etched across his expressions. The healing process was hell, and he wasn't fairing well. She was hesitant to simply pump him full of drugs, but the pain pills would bring relief. It would also be easier to handle than the indescribable ache of shredded muscles.
"I'm out of it," Sean weakly defended himself. That was an understatement. But Nikita didn't draw attention to it. She simply injected morphine into his veins, and cleaned and tossed the needle in the medical waste basket. Her brother sighed as his pain slowly yet surely alleviated. She'd have to be careful about how much medicine he received and when. They didn't need any adverse effects at the moment. He simply had to get better and heal.
"Yeah. But were you out of it before or after the mission? Because I thought boy scouts brought Kevlar vests," Although she attempted to keep her emotions out of their conversation, keep up their teasing tone, Nikita couldn't help but be annoyed. Sean had worn a vest while helping Birkhoff escape Amanda's capture, despite knowing his sister wouldn't hurt him at their staged exchange. However, he didn't think of wearing one on that mission. Sure, the team thought it would've been a simple op. But they should've known by then that their missions always went wrong somehow. What happened to him always being prepared.
"Where was your vest? Over or under your swimsuit?" It was all Sean could think of in reply. His sister couldn't get on him about safety when she wasn't safe either. He was pretty sure none of them had been that safety conscious on their mission. They were too consumed with thoughts of finally ending their war. The team had messed up. Ryan, Birkhoff, Michael, and Alex were trying to figure out what to do next in the other room, except they were running out of options. And with Nikita otherwise preoccupied, they didn't have any insane ideas.
"I use Michael as a shield. Keep up," Instead of arguing with her brother, Nikita settled on resuming their jokes. Sean chuckled, but only for a second. Pain rippled through him at the effort. His sister was quick to soothe him. She helped him settle back against the pillow and fixed the blanket securely around him. He appeared beyond exhausted from both the exertion and forcing himself to stay awake. Sleep was the only way his body would heal all that damage. Softly, she reminded him of that, "You should get some rest. Abdominal injuries are no joke."
Sean didn't fight her. His eyes were already closed and his body had slacked. Nikita cleaned the area and checked the I.V once more as her brother lost consciousness again. She knew she was going over the top, yet she couldn't help it. There was no way she would leave his side. She was so focused on him that she didn't notice Alex behind her. Her friend gently tucked her wild dark hair behind her ear and placed a comforting hand to her back. She hoped her presence would settle the rogue for just a second. It did. Nikita was able to get some air into her lungs. Softly, Alex grinned and suggested, "Hey. I can watch him for a bit."
At first, Nikita wanted to say 'no'. She was fine, and her brother was safe with her. But then she remembered she was still in the clothes she wore on the mission. She never allowed herself a second to take care of her own needs. That was bound to catch up to her. Besides, Sean would be more than alright with Alex. The young woman would give him the same care his sister had. Cautiously, Nikita nodded. Her friend smiled at her again and squeezed her hand tightly before taking the seat. With a deep breath, the rogue finally moved to the other room. She was just in time for Ryan to argue, "I'm telling you, he can help."
"Who can help?" Nikita couldn't help but ask. She should've left the discussion to the men and disappeared to shower, change, and rest. Though, if she was being honest with herself, she knew that wouldn't have been possible. She was way too wired to not find something new to place all of her attention in. Michael wasn't a fan of the idea. He had been trying to settle her since Germany. Even at that moment, he reached for her, running a comforting hand across the small of her back. However, there was never any use in talking her out of what she wanted.
"Morgan Kendrick. He's the assistant director of the CIA. I've worked with him tons of times. He's a good man. He'll help us fight Division," Turning towards Nikita, Ryan explained. He had been trying to convince the team to bring other people into the fold. If they were going to truly change how they were operating in that war, then they'd need allies- especially considering the resources Division had. An old friend in the CIA was their best bet; though, Michael, Alex, and Birkhoff were slow in accepting the idea. It was good, they were just hesitant.
"No," Without further thought, Nikita decided for everybody. She wasn't going to trust anyone else, no matter how much her friend vouched for them. Trusting people they shouldn't have nearly cost them everything. The team couldn't add a new element at that point in their war. It could ruin what they had fought so hard for. Also, it wasn't as though the CIA was the most trustworthy of organizations. Their director had been corrupted by Oversight before.
Birkhoff and Michael weren't as quick to shut Ryan down. What happened in the past could stay in the past. And with Oversight gone and Percy losing control, Division allies could be lacking. The team had a chance to build up an army and strike before any more loss and destruction could occur. That was what Michael began to think, anyway. Gently, he turned Nikita to face him, his hand continuing to rub soothing circles into her back, "I don't know, Nik. Percy has plutonium and the equipment to make a nuke. That's too much for us. We need help."
"I'm not trusting the CIA. Not after what they've done to us, to Ryan," As she slipped from her boyfriend's touch, Nikita was adamant. Maybe she was a bit too emotional as she shrieked, the stress of the day finally catching up to her. But she was sick and tired of people she loved getting hurt. She wouldn't allow that to happen again. The CIA had burned the team, and specifically Ryan, before. They didn't listen to or trust the rogues, and hell occurred. With nuclear material at play, no one could afford that risk.
"But Kendrick is different. He's not corrupt. He'll help us take out Percy and Division. Hell, maybe he'll even help us get pardons. We can't ignore the potential nuke. Agencies need to be involved," Ryan continued to argue. He knew he was right, as did Michael and Birkhoff. So what if they couldn't trust anyone completely. It wasn't just about rogues versus Division anymore. The whole world was at risk and they seriously had to up their game to save it.
Percy had proved to be more resourceful and sadistic than they had thought possible. The fact that he was planning something with a nuclear bomb further proved how much of a villain he was. To fight such a monster, the right equipment was needed. The team, as amazing as they were, sadly didn't have that. Yet others did, if only they were willing to trust them. Nikita, however, couldn't, "Everyone's corrupt, Fletch. I remember Kendrick talking to Percy at those stupid fundraising functions he dragged female recruits to. He was freaked the entire time, like he didn't want to be seen talking to the bastard. He's dirty. Our best bet is to keep this in house."
Silence filled the room at her admission. It had taken her a while to remember why Kendrick sounded so familiar. Yet hearing him in the same sentence as Percy helped connect it for her. She had hated whenever the bastard dragged her to those government fundraising events; the bitterness never disappeared. Michael was able to read it all over her expression. She'd rather shoot Kendrick than team up with him. However, they didn't have any other option, "You're right, we can't trust him completely. But talking to Percy doesn't necessarily mean Kendrick's dirty. What we're doing isn't working. We have to get ahead."
"We'll find a way. We always do," Nikita realized she was pulling farther and farther away. She really needed to calm down before she continued arguing. She was going to snap, or someone was going to get hurt. There was a reason Birkhoff had remained quiet, after all. However, she couldn't get her emotions in check. Her mind was frazzled and her chest was burning. The team couldn't rely on someone in bed with Percy. Hadn't enough people been shot.
"Why can't you be open to this? Your teacher and mother died, and your brother's shot. We need to change up the game or we'll lose everyone," Surprisingly, Ryan was the one who ended up snapping. He had become so frustrated at Nikita's stubbornness. It wasn't only about her and her feelings. The team had to do what was best for the world, not just themselves. Although the analyst had a point, the way he had said it set the rogue off. Her stress and fear crashed at the surface, forcing her to launch at Ryan. Michael was quick to pull Nikita back. She hadn't managed to do anything harmful. Though, Ryan was rightfully scared.
"Whoa. Okay. We all need to calm down," Holding to his girlfriend tightly, Michael commanded. Neither Ryan nor Birkhoff were going to challenge the order. Nikita glared at him, but otherwise she didn't fight- she was too drained. Michael was able to suggest without any argument, "Ryan and I will check out Kendrick, while you stay here with your brother. If things don't work out, we'll find something else. But if it does, we're going to run with it."
"Fine. Whatever you want," Jerking free from her boyfriend's arms, Nikita bit. She stormed out of the room, no one daring to follow. Michael stared after her, but he knew better than to chase her while she was so livid. The two would have to talk later, hopefully after she allowed herself to rest. If she just breathed and knew Sean would be okay, she'd see that Ryan and Michael were right. They needed others to help them- no one had to fight alone ever again.