Set after 2x21 "Dead Drop". Ryan discovers exactly why Nikita set him up in another safehouse.
Ryan understood then why Nikita had set him up in another safehouse. He knew at the time it was so he wasn't constantly surrounded by death and destruction (Carla had just betrayed the team and died, after all). He could be removed from any more danger, and focus solely on his analysis and helping the team. He would've preferred to stay with the others, yet she had made some good points and he was eventually swayed. It was a great thing he had listened to her, though. Apparently, there was another reason he was separated from the team. They were far too crazy even for their own good.
They had only moved into his safehouse the night before when the antics began. After having to destroy the safehouse at the beach, Ryan opened his doors to his team. Although they had to shuffle things around so everyone could fit, it was a great idea. They needed to all be together. Soon, however, the analyst regretted his decision. He thought he could start his day off early with some coffee and by scouring the newspaper for any information. Alex and Nikita, on the other hand, had different plans.
The two women burst into the kitchen after an early morning run. They were both sweaty, breathless, and in desperate need of water. While Nikita threw open the fridge and fanned herself with the cool air, Alex collapsed on the cold hardwood floor. She let her body go limp and her words be expressed on labored pants, "It's so hot outside. It's like a sauna. Where's the breeze? I need the ocean, not a forest full of humid death."
"You're the one who blew up the safehouse," Nikita huffed, lazily tossing her a water bottle. Alex barely made an attempt to catch it. The humidity and bright early sun had been too much for their bodies, which were so used to the cool beach breeze. Nikita had somewhat managed to adjust by chugging water and standing in front of the open fridge. Alex, however, needed more. She struggled to her feet, threw open the freezer, grabbed an ice cream bar, and happily shoved it in her mouth. Her best friend tried to slap it out of her hand, "Hey! No ice cream for breakfast."
"You ate cereal for dinner last night. Time is an illusion and food shouldn't be affected by that," Alex mumbled around the ice cream. Although she only sluggishly moved away from Nikita, the rogue gave up the fight. She was too tired to really care. Besides, ice cream wasn't worth arguing over.
"I'm not letting you hang out with Birkhoff anymore," Rolling her eyes, Nikita closed the refrigerator and left the kitchen. Alex stayed a little longer, blissfully enjoying her frozen treat. Ryan had been ignored the entire time the women panted and argued. He was glad he was; he didn't want to be pulled into it. However, he hadn't been able to focus on his newspaper while they crashed around. At least with the two gone, he could return to his important task.
Unfortunately, that didn't last for long. Since the safehouse was meant for Ryan, there was only one shower. And Nikita was currently occupying it. He had to wait to get ready, as did everybody else. Alex compromised for that by dressing down to her sports bra; if she had to walk around sweaty, she might as well do it topless. The team didn't mind her fashion choice, besides Sean. He was absolutely dumbfounded by her appearance, causing them to crash into each other. When she got a good look at him, she was breathless again, "Hey. You're shirtless."
"And you're just in a bra," Sean replied lamely. He should've explained that it was still difficult to pull on a t-shirt with his injury, and that the jacket he had on the night before was being washed. He wasn't shirtless for nothing. He wasn't that kind of guy, not that it mattered if he was. His actions just had a purpose.
Alex barely nodded, struggling for thoughts. She had seen Sean shirtless countless times before. Why was she going brain dead then. Was it the kiss. Instantly, her lips began to tingle. They hadn't talked about their kiss. But, God, did they need to. She couldn't stop thinking about it. She wondered if he did too. Or was it just a simple action born from the fact that he thought they were about to die and life was fleeting. Instead of facing that panic and need for answers head on, Alex decided to flee, "Well… Nik's in the show… it's hot… you okay?"
"Michael was helping me with the bandage…" Sean tried to explain, but he was quickly distracted by a bead of sweat dripping down Alex's chest. He shouldn't have stared, but he couldn't help himself. There had to be something wrong with him. He usually wasn't so hapless around a woman he liked. Except, what was so usual about her. She was so different and wonderful, it was awesome.
"Shower's free… I should…" The second Nikita left the bathroom in only a towel, Alex turned towards her escape route. She had caught Sean staring, and a deep red blush flushed her cheeks. For some reason, she didn't want him to notice. Talking and having a real conversation really would have been better for them. If only they weren't cowards.
"Yep…" Hurriedly, Sean nodded and walked away. Alex barely noticed him as she dashed for the bathroom. Ryan sighed from his invisible perch on the couch. That was such an awkward conversation to witness. He thought the two had kissed because they were dating, not because they had crushes on one another and wouldn't admit it. No wonder Birkhoff told him to shut up. Sean and Alex were insufferable to watch as they danced around each other. Ryan needed a break from just that. Or, better yet, the two could go to their own apartments.
Although that wish didn't come true, Ryan was soon able to use the shower. He could relax and clear his mind under the cool shower spray (despite being hot, Alex and Nikita managed to use all the hot water). His time alone in the bathroom allowed him to reset for his full day of analysis and clue finding. The information Kendrick gave him should help substantially with finding a way to stop Percy. However, Ryan couldn't quite get to his computer to do any research. Birkhoff was setting up his equipment and network, rambling excitedly to Nikita about something nonsensical, "So it's like 'bang' and 'whoosh' and 'psssh'. Yeah."
Birkhoff moved haphazardly around the monitors, computers, and wires, his limbs shaky and his movements jerky. At one point, he almost fell over nothing and Nikita had to catch him. He simply nodded his thanks while moving as though nothing had happened. The nerd was in his own world, one where he had to keep chugging an energy drink to be a part of. She couldn't take much more of it, "What is wrong with you?"
"You know?" Waving his hands wildly instead of answering with actual words, Birkhoff wondered if she understood him. Nikita absolutely did not. She eyed him suspiciously, gaze narrowing on the giant can of energy drink in his hand. She ripped it out of his grasp, and read over the nutrition information. When she spotted the caffeine amount, she gasped.
"Nerd! This has three hundred milligrams of caffeine. How many have you had?" Full of shrill concern, Nikita shouted. Birkhoff had always had a caffeine problem, but three hundred milligrams at once was far too much. Even an energy junkie nerd couldn't handle that.
"Can two," Birkhoff admitted, taking the can back and chugging more of the drink. At least there wasn't any added sugars or anything like that. He could tell himself he wasn't putting too much junk in his body. Except, he was shaking just a bit too violently. His thoughts were also moving too fast for him to pin down. Maybe he had overdone it.
"Give me that," Nikita reached for the can, not caring if any sloshed on the computers as she attempted to take it away. Despite knowing she was only trying to help him, Birkhoff clutched his drink tighter and pulled away. Okay, fine, he had a problem. But, he'd fix it after he set-up Shadownet and Shadowbot on Ryan's safehouse's network. The rogue just wouldn't give him the chance. The two struggled for the drink, yelling taunts the entire time.
It wasn't long before Nikita had Birkhoff in a headlock, reaching for the can in his outstretched hand. Ryan wasn't sure how he could step in and intervene. Fortunately, he didn't have to. Alex walked in, assessed the situation, and called for the only person who could stop them, "Michael! Nikita and Birkhoff are fighting again."
Immediately, Michael rushed into the room and ripped the two apart. Nikita managed to make off with the energy drink, and she dumped it down the sink. Birkhoff whined. There wasn't anything he could do about it, however, so he slumped in his chair. The three agents left, satisfied (and confused) with their work. Ryan was a little confused too, yet he was glad to be able to grab his laptop. He moved to the livingroom, hoping for more peace. Again, he didn't get what he wanted. The analyst had to stop thinking it was going to be a normal day. Nearly an hour later, Birkhoff hadn't stopped shaking, "Is this what it's like to be high?"
"How are you feeling?" Sean replied as he walked by. Maybe he shouldn't have engaged. He had said enough stupid things that day. But the nerd had him curious. Birkhoff looked completely out of it in his chair. He swayed back and forth in his slouched position, unable to remain still. Whatever was up with him was bound to keep the bored Seal interested.
"Everything," Birkhoff spoke so fast, the one word was slurred and hard to understand. He had always thought those movie scenes of characters drinking too much coffee thus making the world move slow in comparison to them was an over-exaggeration. Apparently, as he regretfully found out, there was a kernel of truth to the comedy. He felt like he could run three simultaneous marathons.
"I'm gonna say yes. Though, the girls would know more than us. They used to live off that shit," Shrugging, Sean said absentmindedly. He really should've thought before he spoke. Nikita and Alex had caught his words from where they were cleaning the few weapons they had left. Instantly, they glared at him. Sean gulped. So he could keep making stupid comments, "How many feet did I just put in my mouth?"
"They're planning their revenge right now," Michael warned. The women abandoned their task, leaving him with all the work. He understood, though. It wasn't like there was much for him to do, anyway. The team still had to stock up on their weaponry after losing so much.
"Mikey, hide the duct tape," Birkhoff couldn't control the volume of his voice. He meant to whisper; instead, he screamed. Sean and Michael couldn't help but laugh at him. Ryan, on the other hand, decided it was about time he did work in his own room. It would be quiet and less hectic there. He needed to focus on whatever intel he could gather for the rogues. Percy and nuclear material was a terrible mix. They had to do something to stop it. They were basically the only ones who could.
Eventually, hours or so later, Ryan had to take a break. He had dug through enough information, and he thought he was on the trail of something significant. He simply needed food and water to keep his mind sharp. Once again, Nikita and Alex interrupted his time in the kitchen. They were messing around with the fridge and muttering to themselves. He attempted to ignore them, yet the head rogue just had to rope him in, "Sorry, Fletch. Wait 'til Sean gets something from the fridge. Then you can grab something."
"Do we have marshmallow fluff by any chance?" Alex abandoned the prank for a second to search the cupboards. Nikita rolled her eyes. Ryan didn't answer the question. He grabbed a piece of fruit from the counter and returned to his room. The women's laughter carried through the walls, but the analyst found himself smiling at the sound. It was annoying, yet sweet.
Quickly, though, his thoughts turned back to how annoying it was. Without substantial food in his system, Ryan was losing the ability to focus. He couldn't concentrate on the lines of conspiracy he was following. Things that had made sense before didn't any longer. Maybe if he walked around or something. Or just forced Sean to open the fridge to get it over with. He didn't really get a chance at either, however. As he walked out of his room, Michael brushed past him and went straight towards Nikita, excitedly exclaiming, "Hey."
"Hey," Nikita matched the smile her boyfriend shared with her. Michael kissed her. Neither cared that Ryan was right behind them in the hallway, which made that the second time the analyst had had to witness such blatant PDA. They were only consumed with each other.
"I love you," Eventually, Michael breathed against his girlfriend's lips. He kissed Nikita again, passion flowing through the affection. It was some time before the couple separated. When they did, Michael grabbed Nikita's hand, squeezed it, and went back to whatever he was doing. She remained in the hall, smiling like an idiot after him.
"I love you too," Mostly just to herself, Nikita whispered. Her cheeks flushed, her heart skipped, and she felt like dancing. There was no reason for Michael's expression; he just wanted her to know. Something about that made her want to continue smiling until her expression froze like that. Ryan didn't know how to process what he saw. It was better than Sean and Alex, though, that was for certain- still awkward to watch, but better.
"Birkhoff! Wake up!" Just as Ryan got his thoughts in order and figured out what he wanted to do next, Michael suddenly startled him. The smile on Nikita's face even faded when he yelled. Birkhoff was slumped at his desk, face smushed into the keyboard. Although funny to walk in on and notice, they couldn't leave him like that. Michael had to wake him.
"Fucking shit…" Birkhoff jumped awake. He hadn't even known he had crashed at his desk. The last thing he remembered was talking to Sean. That caffeine went through him quickly. However, his heart continued to beat rapidly. He had no idea what was occurring with his body. He did know he was never drinking that brand of energy drink again, though, "I think I'm having a heart attack."
"Yeah. I'm definitely watching after you for the rest of the night," Michael decided. Both Nikita and Ryan nodded. The nerd probably needed water in him too, yet the analyst was done with the conversation. He went to the kitchen, planning to drink more coffee in lieu of eating. The energy could keep him focused enough to finish what he was doing. It could also fill the hunger in his stomach. If he really wanted to solve his problems, he could've just opened the refrigerator. But, honestly, he was too afraid of what Nikita and Alex had planned.
Sean finally entered the kitchen to put the women's scheme into action. Ryan was half-grateful for that, half-irritated he was caught in the room. It was one thing after the next that day. He had no reprieve from his team. Being all together definitely had its drawbacks. At least Nikita was finding the joy in it as she smirked at Sean, "Hey. I know you kissed Alex. Nice move in the back of the car, by the way. But if you really wanna seal the deal, make her dinner."
"Really?" Sean practically jumped with excitement. Ryan fought an eye roll. Who knew a Navy Seal could be so gullible. He threw open the boobytrapped fridge, too wrapped up in his thoughts of Alex to notice anything- until it was too late. He was hit with flour first, then whipped cream. While Nikita laughed, he sighed, "I deserved that."
"You can use the fridge now!" Nikita informed the others through her laughter. Ryan was quick to grab something to eat before the team descended. However, he wasn't fast enough to clear out of the kitchen before it was crowded. They were all taking whatever food they could, talking over each other, and laughing at Sean. He was a good sport about it as he cleaned his face. But he did fire off his own taunts to get even. That caused more laughter and quips to fly.
"You guys are way too much," Ryan mumbled, maneuvering through the chaos to return to his analysis. Nikita stopped him before he could go far. She pulled him back to the group, and he was instantly involved in the jokes and giggles. The team knew he had important work to do, and so did they. Yet relaxing together was always best for them. Not only could they build team morale by becoming so close, they also got to have the close relationships they were always denied. Of course Ryan had to be wrapped into those antics at times. He was their family too. A fact he so willingly accepted.