Alex really should've paid attention to the Kendrick mission. She knew Michael and Nikita were defending the deputy director of the CIA from Division, and that Birkhoff and Ryan were doing whatever they could to help from the safehouse. But the exact details of the operation escaped her. All she was aware of was that there was a killchip attached to a pacemaker, Percy was on their tail, there was a narrow window of opportunity, and there were high stakes. She should've cleared her thoughts instead of only focusing on Sean and what he had confessed. She could always deal with that later. The threat on the team, however, was far more imminent.
Apparently, as Birkhoff helped Nikita take the killchip attached to Kendrick's pacemaker offline, an unsecure connection was made to the servers at the safehouse. Division was easily able to pick up the transmission and follow the trail. They knew exactly where the rogues were. Maybe if Alex was paying attention to anything besides the rapid beat of her heart and the way Sean's hazel eyes bore into her, she would've noticed that fact quickly. Or, she could've been prepared for the fallout. Instead, the warning chime of the computer startled her. She jumped away from Sean when she was just about to act on his words.
At least, she thought she was going to act on his words. She honestly didn't know what she was doing. He had just said so many wonderful and meaningful things, and she was inexplicably drawn closer. Of course Division ruined it. And of course Alex didn't have the time to be annoyed by the fact. As soon as she wondered what the hell was going on, Ryan and Birkhoff frantically filled her in. Agents had crossed the perimeter, and they were coming to kill them. The team had to act immediately.
Yet, what were they to do exactly. Alex could more than handle herself in a fight. However, Ryan and Birkhoff's field experience was lacking, and Sean was injured. They could take out the first wave of agents, and possibly the second, but the third would be too much for them. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and running out of options. Nikita and Michael were stuck struggling out in the field with Kendrick, while the others were trapped in the beach house like sitting ducks. Division actually had the upperhand in the situation.
Fortunately, that didn't last for long. Although they lost their support at the safehouse, Michael and Nikita were able to save Kendrick and themselves without problem. And while Ryan, Birkhoff, and Sean loaded up with weapons to attack the oncoming swarm of agents, Alex remembered the amount of C-4 the rogues had. They could just rig the house to blow once Division burst through the doors. Nikita had done it with her loft. The team could do it with the beach house as well. Though, losing the beach house would be a lot more painful than the loft. They really liked that stupidly overcrowded place.
Too much thought into their actions would've deterred their plan, however. They didn't have the luxury to think about what they were losing, or even any other idea. The team just had to set the charges and explosives, gather what they could, climb in a car, and escape. All of the resources, food, clothes, and weapons they had to leave behind were going to hurt. They'd have to scramble to make that up before their next mission. But at least they had a place to stay (they could all crash at Ryan's safehouse). They were also together and alive. That was the most important thing. They had survived for another day.
Division had also failed and Kendrick was going to utilize his CIA resources to help the rogues; those were substantial wins as well. Even with the loss of so many of their things, they could focus on the positives. It was beginning to go well for the team. With such a powerful ally on their side, Percy could fall so soon. Victory in their war was close at hand. It was the thought that propelled the rebels forward instead of dwelling on destroyed equipment and clothes. Besides, they had the means to make up for it (actually, Alex had the means to make up for it), and it was only temporary. Things would be over soon.
That was a kind of positivity that needed to be extended to other areas. The team could have their eyes set on the prize of freedom, ignoring at least some of their problems. And they could let brightness fill their thoughts. It was what ran through Sean's mind. The safehouse and their enemies were blown up, Kendrick was saved, and the rogues were headed towards another safe location. He could be at peace, let the stress wash away and return to what he had been thinking before being so rudely interrupted by Division. Alex was in the back seat next to him, so he didn't need any further action, just her attention, "Hey, Alex. I think I need another shot."
"Oh I didn't bring any…" Alex started, assuming he meant he needed another shot of morphine. However, as her eyes locked with his, he kissed her. Sean Pierce kissed her. She was so stunned, she didn't know what to do at first. Her heart seized in her throat and her mind vanished. Yet once he placed a tender hand on her cheek, she jolted to life. Alex kissed Sean. Gentle hands caressed softly as lips danced passionately. Sparks really did seem to fly when all they could feel was each other. It was a sensation that truly captured their bodies and souls.
Birkhoff caught sight of the two instantly through the rearview mirror, and grinned to himself. A joke sprung to the tip of his tongue, but he held it back. He could do his 'I told you so' later. Sean and Alex deserved their moment. It was a long time coming, after all. The past few days had been hell. A kiss was a great remedy to that. Although the nerd had those thoughts, Ryan was somewhere else mentally. He was too busy contemplating their next move. They'd have to regroup and recoup, and of course call Michael and Nikita. They needed to know what happened to the safehouse before they returned to a raging fire, "We should tell Nikita…"
"Shh. Don't ruin the moment," Shaking his head, Birkhoff interrupted. He nodded towards the backseat, cluing Ryan into what was occurring. The analyst only needed the briefest of glances to understand why it had gotten so quiet in the car. Sean and Alex were far too consumed with one another to notice their surroundings. He didn't want to be the one to burst their bubble. Not only would it have been awkward, but things had been so tremulous between the two that one small thing could shake them apart- he hadn't even been around them that long and he had noticed that. He didn't want to be the one to disturb their peace.
Thankfully, a call from Nikita was the thing that finally broke Sean and Alex apart. Well, thankfully for Ryan and Birkhoff who were growing uncomfortable with the long make out session. Alex and Sean, on the other hand, were violently ripped back to reality. They didn't know how to act since they had kissed. Surely, they could've acted as they normally did around each other- just without dancing around their emotions. That was the easy answer, right. It was what should've happened. Instead, their fingers awkwardly tripped over each other's in an attempt to hold hands as Nikita caught up with the team.
She, Michael, and Kendrick were on their way back to the beach house. They had cleared the area of Division agents, ensured the deputy director's heart was alright, and were ready to get back to business. Ryan informed them of the drastic changes to the safehouse and that they should meet at his place. There were some grumbles, but they understood the need for a change. Birkhoff thought about telling Nikita of Sean's and Alex's kiss, yet refrained from doing so. He still had the video of a high and very loving Sean. That should be enough for some great jokes.
It was a good thing that Birkhoff didn't say anything at that moment. Sean and Alex certainly appreciated it. But also, Nikita wasn't in the joking mood. Once she ended the call, she sighed and pressed her head in her hands. It had been too much of an emotional rollercoaster lately, and she didn't have the patience for any more surprising bits of information. From her brother getting shot, to arguing with Michael and Ryan, to almost killing then saving Kendrick, and finally to the loss of a beach house and equipment, Nikita was just tired. She needed a break.
How much of one she could get remained up in the air, however. Sure Percy would have to recover from his defeat, and the team had Kendrick on their side to help shoulder some of the burden. But when did they ever get real rest. That wouldn't be possible until the end of their crusade. Nikita really needed the team's optimism to be true. Things could end soon and she could relax. She could breathe and process everything that had happened. With all the craziness that occurred, that was probably the most important thing. She needed to settle her past.
For the time being, however, she needed to apologize. Sorting through her trauma was a feat Nikita didn't want to attempt while in a terrible mood. Although she knew she had to, especially regarding how often she forced Alex to do the same thing, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Helping the team set up Ryan's safehouse for all of them to stay in was easier. It gave her something to do. It also let her figure out what to say to Michael and Ryan. She had been a brat to them. They were right and she was wrong. She had to admit to her mistakes.
And God, did she have many of them. Why couldn't she actually use her head for once. There was a reason Michael and Sean warned her about rushing into action without a plan. Nikita was bound to get hurt, and on that mission she almost did. She almost hurt so many people due to her stupidity and lack of trust. Except, when she apologized for her rashness, Ryan negated that she was just thinking with her heart; she couldn't blame herself. Besides, she had a team for a reason. They had each other's backs despite any fights they might have. They were in it together, until the very end.
Michael echoed the same sentiment, wrapping his arms around her and placing a kiss on her temple. Nikita relaxed in his embrace and took in a deep breath. Neither the past nor poor decisions mattered in that moment. The band of rebels were all together, and emotions and hearts were healed. Alex had gotten them supplies for the night and next morning, Sean was on the mend, Birkhoff had his system booting up on Ryan's computer, Kendrick had intel for them, and it was going to be alright. They had things handled.
The fact allowed the team to relax for the night, and somewhat celebrate a new team member and their success. They ate, drank, talked, and had the most fun they could have. Sean and Alex kept close to each other the majority of the night, stealing glances and the brush of hands. The others all caught them, and shared knowing looks. Nikita was so going to get onto them in the morning. But in the meantime, she'd let them be- mostly because Michael told her to. They should just have comfort and joy that night; taunting could happen later- a point proven by Birkhoff when he said he had a video to show her as soon as his computer was set up.
Regardless of Sean and Alex being flirty and oblivious, unable to separate from one another, the team had a great moment to destress. They could go to sleep and hopefully rest well. In theory, that was a solid idea. However, in practice, nightmares threatened to tumble loose. At least, that was how it was for Nikita. Although she climbed into her makeshift bed with her boyfriend, her mind wouldn't stop. Her eyes wouldn't close. Curling tightly into Michael's side didn't force the dark thoughts away as it usually did. She couldn't return to her relaxed state. Bedtime meant nightmares, and that fact wouldn't disappear, "I can't close my eyes."
"Sean, Kendrick, Percy, or Madeline?" Running a soothing hand along her spine, Michael read his girlfriend's mind. Nikita only grunted against his chest. He automatically held her tighter and kissed her crown. Of course the terrifying events and morose thoughts had caught up to her; they caught up to him as well. Spending time with their friends could only do so much in battling the demons. The rest was up to them. Though, the two could at least hold to the fact that it hadn't been a complete loss. The corruption and heartbreak they faced was. But they saved a life and set up the end of their war. That was beyond great; it was hopeful, "You did a good thing."
"We all did," Nikita sighed. She had just been the one to disarm the killchip. The rest of her team were the true heroes. Ryan recognized Kendrick was in trouble, Michael ensured they were safe, Birkhoff watched their backs, and Alex took care of Sean. Nikita couldn't have done anything without them, and not just on that mission. She was so lucky to have her friends, because together they saved the world. Together they were going to live happily ever after.