After a hot, spiteful shower and an angry attempt to eat the crushed granola bar stashed in her mission bag, Nikita realized how ridiculous she was. She overreacted. There wasn't really an excuse for it. Sure she was exhausted and worried about her brother, but that didn't mean she was allowed to snap at her team. She definitely wasn't allowed to yell at Ryan when all he did was try to help them. Percy with nukes was a nightmare come true. The team couldn't screw things up. They needed as much help and resources as they could gather.
Although she still didn't like it, Nikita knew Ryan had to talk to Kendrick. If the CIA finally backed them, then maybe Division would fall before the nuclear material ever came into play. Michael certainly believed that. He followed along to the meet, acting as an extra pair of eyes in case anything went south. He could use a partner. Mostly because missions just always had to go south for them, but also so she could make amends for what she had done. She once told Michael she'd believe in him and back his plans no matter what. God, had she failed at that.
However, sitting around and wallowing in that fact wouldn't get her anywhere. It wasn't too late to join Michael and Ryan at the restaurant to intercept Kendrick. She could support them in the field and provide extra surveillance. With how greatly their war was escalating, it was a safe idea. The team had to have each other's backs, no matter how much they hated the plan. Nikita would just have to suck it up. Also, if she left the beach house, she might not be so preoccupied and overwhelmed with her brother's healing process. Her hovering wouldn't do anything. He would be okay.
Besides, Alex could watch after Sean without problem. She probably loved having the chance to stare at him. Nikita laughed softly at the thought. That was just another conversation to have; though, the thought of it was a lot lighter than the discussion about trusting the CIA. It also gave her some hope of a future to hold onto. She'd get past the current hell, they all would. For the time being, she had to focus, gather herself together, and be there for her team. That would get them closer to a bright future than stewing in her stubbornness. They just had to show up for one another, "Hey, Sailor. Buy a girl a drink?"
Nikita leaned against the restaurant bar next to her boyfriend, appreciatively eyeing the pink dress shirt he wore. Michael checked her out in return- half in surprise that she was there, and half in appreciation of her blue dress. He moved closer to her, and she began to relax in his warm presence. There was no reason to be anxious. It was only a mission, just like the millions they had performed before. The stakes, and the potential danger of trusting someone they probably shouldn't, couldn't weigh on their minds. It was always about moving forward and adapting their play, "You're the last person I expected to be here."
"I know," Remorsefully, Nikita agreed. Michael inched even closer to her in an attempt to soothe her. The two couldn't be too overly affectionate. It might draw unwanted attention. They had to remain on high alert, be unseen as they studied the patrons. Nikita didn't see Ryan or Kendrick anywhere; she assumed the analyst had the team's potential ally cornered somewhere private. Michael must be ensuring they stayed private. She could help with that. It was an easy way to adjust to their plan.
"And you don't need to explain. Ryan and I came up in government, but you, your first real experience was waking up in Division. So I understand your reservations. But if you can't trust Kendrick yet, then please trust me. You're doing the right thing here," Michael whispered softly. He had understood Nikita's earlier outburst. She might have grown up the daughter of an army officer and senator, but she never experienced the complicated governmental world her parents worked in. Her first taste of it was when she was abandoned to Division. Of course she didn't trust the government. He probably wouldn't have either.
"That guy over there, two o'clock, oozing bodyguard. My guess is he's with Kendrick," Nodding towards the man checking his watch and eyeing the door to the bathroom, Nikita changed the subject. She didn't want to get into it- not then, not in public. There were still moments when tears pricked in her eyes at the thought of her mother, and her recruitment into Division, and all of that shit. It was better to leave it alone. Michael thankfully didn't push her. He simply nodded and brushed her hand with his.
They stayed in silence for a while, watching the crowd and keeping an eye on the obvious bodyguard. Nikita drew strength from Michael at her side. The tension relaxed from her shoulders, and her thoughts cleared. It was the first time she had felt settled since Germany. She really should take more time to relax- if that was even possible in their crusade. Her short reprieve was interrupted by the bodyguard bolting from his table, after all. He was going to ruin Ryan's meeting with Kendrick, unless Michael and Nikita intervened. Fortunately, she had managed to create a quick idea, "Never let it be said that I'm not a team player."
"George? George Ferretti? Kyle, this is the douchebag I was telling you about," Her sudden and swift approach and change of tone threw the restaurant off balance. Even Michael was surprised by Nikita's act. She certainly had a gift of catching people off their guard. Whereas her boyfriend was able to recover and play along, 'George' simply stammered. He was beyond lost, allowing the expert distractor to keep piling on, "Where do you get off? Were you ever going to call my sister back, or is that not something you do?"
'George' tried to look at Michael for help, but the agent only shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. Nikita could take the lead on that one; she had it more than handled. Besides, him just hanging back helped sell the bit. It was her show whether the bodyguard liked it or not. And he definitely didn't like it. He tried to move around her and stick to his mission, unaware that her mission always won out in the end, "Ma'am, I think you have me confused…"
"Oh, ma'am. Now it's ma'am," Clutching onto his arm to ensure he stayed put, Nikita acted as incredulous as possible. Patrons and waiters shot them strange and confused looks, but she wouldn't let that halt her. She could use it to her advantage, apply more pressure on 'George' and make him squirm. The more he was distracted with her, the less he'd be able to think about Kendrick or how long he had been gone. Only she would be the strangest thing about that day.
"She's talking about someone else," There was a slight panic in the bodyguard's voice. Whether that was in regards to Nikita or the fact that he wasn't doing his job properly was unclear. But Michael could still add on to his discomfort with a raise of a disbelieving eyebrow. 'George' couldn't fight against the two agents, or the rising murmurs of the restaurant. He was trapped. Hopefully that would provide Ryan with enough time to wrap up his pitch to Kendrick.
"I'm talking about you, George Forgetti. Jerk," Shoving past 'George', Nikita bolted. She had caught sight of Kendrick leaving the bathroom, and she knew it was time to leave. If she remembered him from the fundraising event years prior, then he could remember her. Her presence might blow whatever Ryan had convinced him. Or, she could've been right and he could easily turn on them and danger would arrive. The latter might not have occurred inside the crowded restaurant, yet she couldn't take the chance. Besides, by bruising past the bodyguard, she was able to bug Kendrick. That way, she could truly tell if he was trustworthy.
"You should call people back, Dude," Michael smirked at the confusion and chaos his girlfriend left behind. Ryan poked his head out of the bathroom, wondering just what the hell he had missed. Yet Michael only answered with a shrug and followed after Nikita. She didn't say a word about the bug she placed. She knew the whole thing was wrong, and she hadn't fully been there for her team like she should've- she had had an ulterior motive. But she couldn't let go of her mistrust. It had her in a vice-like grip. The worst possible outcome seemed so much more plausible than a happy ending.
As the three returned to the safehouse, chaos began to brew there as well. Birkhoff was doing his usual hacking and surveillance checking, while Alex watched after Sean. He hadn't regained consciousness since he had fallen asleep talking to Nikita. So, the young woman put more energy in preparing for when he did wake. She only stepped out of the sectioned off portion of the livingroom for a second, swapping out cleaning supplies. But that second was long enough for Sean to wake and stumble out of his cot towards an abandoned tablet. She caught him scrolling through a website and instantly rushed to his side, "Sean, what are you doing?"
"I need to send an email," Sean replied simply. He had meant to do that after they had returned from Germany, casings or not. The team had discussed finding new allies, and he was certain he had one. All he had to do was reach out. However, how much he could share remained in debate. Division probably shouldn't be mentioned, and neither should his sister's or mother's involvement. But something vague might work. His word as a Seal carried weight, after all, "My mom had a friend who is on the subcommittee for nuclear safety. I want to reach out to him and tell him to put his ear to the ground."
"No. You need to get your ass back in that bed," Shutting off the tablet and shoving it aside, Alex commanded. Sean had a good idea; he just shouldn't be the one to implement it. The team could handle their crusade without him for a moment. The most important thing he could do was rest. They needed him to remain safe and sound. Not only would they require his strength later on, once Percy's plans revealed themselves. But they couldn't lose him. Hearts had been broken and emotions had been frayed enough.
"I'm fine, really," Trying to argue, Sean reached for the tablet. It was too out of reach for his stitched up side, however. He grunted in pain, forcing Alex to pull him back. Birkhoff also rushed over to them, curious as to what the problem was. He wasn't surprised to see a Pierce disobeying orders. There must've been something in their blood that made them believe their way was better than the others'. Sighing, the hacker moved closer to the young woman to help her with yet another stubborn teammate.
"No. You're not fine," Alex was fairly certain she had had the same conversation with Nikita once. The fact that ten years apart didn't make the siblings any less similar was insane. There was a parent to blame for that. Though, was she really any better. According to Nikita when she was helping her get clean, definitely not. Alex guessed that the turnabout was fair. Sean being stubborn with her as she helped him heal was no doubt some sort of cosmic payback for the hell she had given his sister years ago.
"Come on, listen to the lady, Buddy. You need your rest. Let's go," Birkhoff and Alex worked together to get Sean to his feet. Although both struggled with his sluggish weight, they managed to shuffle him back towards the cot. He couldn't fight against them, his body still so weak. Yet he could protest. The two ignored him. The Seal would have his chance to be a hero later. He just had to sleep first, "Alright, big guy. Magic carpet ride."
"Guys, just let me help get Percy," Even if it was more of a whine than an argument, Sean attempted to keep fighting. His sister needed his help; the team needed all the assistance they could get. They should be utilizing him and his resources. He was the one who had real world connections and didn't have to fight a war in the shadows, after all. Just because he was injured didn't mean he should be shoved aside. He was needed.
Birkhoff and Alex shook their heads and pushed him to lay on the cot; Sean was needed to rest. While the hacker ensured he stayed put, the young woman reached for a shot of morphine. Nikita said to only use it when necessary. That moment was definitely necessary. Alex stuck Sean in the arm not as gently as she should've, earning her a wince of pain. However, he soon started to drift, "Sorry. It's gonna help with the pain. It'll also help you relax, okay."
Sean didn't have any fight left in him. His eyelids slipped closed and his limbs grew heavy. Alex fixed the blanket around his shoulders and brushed his hair off his forehead. For just a second, her fingers lingered in his hair and twirled the soft locks. Catching the gesture, Birkhoff smiled to himself. The team always claimed Sean and Nikita were alike in stubbornness, but in that moment the nerd could see another similarity. Both siblings started a relationship with denial and stupidity. He tried not to laugh, "Everyone can see it, you know."
"See what?" Alex wasn't going to take her eyes off of Sean that time; he wasn't going to have another chance to escape and maybe hurt himself. Watching him also kept her back to Birkhoff. The nerd couldn't see her blush. She knew what he was referring to. She had heard Nikita tease her brother for it. But she wouldn't admit to anything. Then wasn't the time. She also didn't have all her thoughts in order just yet.
"Everybody but you apparently," Chuckling lightly, Birkhoff called Alex out. Her back stiffened at the accusation, revealing her thoughts more than a blush could. The hacker attempted not to laugh again, but it was difficult. Cluelessness was all around him. Oftentimes it was annoying. But in moments like that, it was fun watching his friends squirm. Although Michael, Nikita, Sean, and Alex were capable agents in war, they were hopeless idiots in love.
"I'm just helping him out, Birkhoff. Nikita would kill us if something happened to him. You know, maybe you should cut down on those energy drinks. I'm just saying," Alex changed subjects way too quickly. She caught the stumble and tried not to grimace. Birkhoff only rolled his eyes, however, and left her alone. She thought over his words for a moment, then huffed. He was being ridiculous. The whole team was always ridiculous. She couldn't wait for Nikita, Michael, and Ryan to return. Hopefully they had something that would distract Birkhoff. The attention shouldn't remain on whatever he thought he saw. There were more important things.