They had fucked up. Nikita knew that the instant she had stepped into ops. She and Michael had fucked up big time. It was bound to happen. They had ruined Division missions unchecked for four years. It wasn't consistent (they had to take breaks here and there to stay low) and it was hard, but the black ops group was running scared. Especially after the latest mission overseas. With the help of Michael's Navy friends, they destroyed the biggest operation yet- an attempted co-op with a known terrorist group. But the couple aimed too high. And they were falling too far.
Michael's face was staring at Nikita in ops. His picture had been plastered all over the big screen, the focus of a new kill mission. Percy was the one running the operation. He claimed Michael Bishop was a CIA analyst selling secrets to their enemies. Nikita knew different; he was a CIA analyst who had trusted the wrong people. She was anxious about the idea, but he swore it was time to bring in others. They had gotten far in four years, but if they wanted to bring it home his superiors needed to be involved. The fact that looping in his friend in the Navy Seals didn't backfire on them helped convince her to agree. It took weeks to prove how wrong they were, however. One of his superiors turned on him to Percy.
"He lives in your building, Nikki. You ever run into him?" Birkhoff's whisper yanked Nikita out of her thoughts. She realized she had been staring at Michael far too long, and finally brought her brown eyes away to glance at her friend. He was genuine in his question. Michael said he had enough intel for his bosses that he could out Division without outing her as a mole. Her cover was intact, she was safe.
But Michael wasn't. Nikita was handed the file all about him, given the instructions to kill him. She fought back every emotion she had. If she wanted any chance of saving him, she had to pretend everything was alright. Nothing was wrong. It was a normal day inside Division, "Have you met everyone in your apartment, Nerd?"
"I don't even think I know my mailman," He softly replied. Nikita smiled despite herself. Birkhoff always could lighten a situation with his comments. Ryan leaned over and told the two to shut up. Apparently, Percy was glaring at them as he gave his briefing. Whereas Birkhoff mumbled his thanks for the save, Nikita stared at her friend. They had repaired the strain in their relationship years ago, and they were as close as ever; she teased him, and he protected her. He and Nerd were her greatest allies in Division.
However, she never told them about what she and Michael were doing. Nikita wanted to protect them. She was also afraid to trust them with the information. No matter what, the men continued to show loyalty to Division. She wasn't sure if she could convince them to join her side. Besides, she and Michael had done well for four years. Just the two of them had wrecked so much havoc, that Division had been performing fewer missions. Except, secrecy wasn't an option anymore. Everything was falling apart.
After the briefing, Nikita pulled Ryan aside. She brought him to the old target range where no one ventured, and where there were no cameras. They were alone. She had tuned Percy out the remainder of his speech to formulate a rescue plan. The only thing she came up with involved faking their deaths. The only way that was possible was if she had help. Birkhoff was going to be stuck in ops, hacking away. So that left Ryan out in the field with her. Hopefully, he would finally prove more loyal to her than to Percy, "Fletch. I can't do this."
"I know. I promised no more seduction targets," He had. There was a really bad sweetheart mission a couple of months prior; Nikita barely told Michael about it. As a result, Ryan swore she wouldn't be put on anymore missions like that. He would take the heat from Amanda and Percy. Although he kept that promise, she was still called to seduce Michael in order to kill him.
She didn't care about that though. Nikita had a lot more to worry about than sweethearts and honeytraps. Carefully, she pulled out the engagement ring she hid in the lining of her jeans. Michael gave it to her after that overseas mission with the Seals. It had been terrible- a lot of good people died. They won, but it had cost them so much. The proposal wasn't as he had planned. It wasn't romantic or traditional. It was just a way to show that their talks about forever were serious. He meant to spend eternity with her, no matter what. She almost forgot to say 'yes' when she kissed him, "No. Ryan. I can't do this."
"Oh, Nik. What did you do?" Ryan rolled through his shock quickly. Nikita had to swallow down her panic and fear so she could explain as rapidly and as clearly as possible. Her friend took it surprisingly well. Or he was simply hiding his feelings like she was, moving to comfort her. He needed a long and substantial moment to process his agent falling in love and going rogue. Although he wasn't quite alright with the information, he held onto her tightly and warned, "You're gonna have to run."
"I know. We need your help," Nikita then told Ryan her plan to escape with Michael. Both of their deaths needed to be faked so that they both could live. She thought they could play off of the story Percy spun of Michael selling secrets; his 'buyers' could've not been happy with him, so they planted a bomb in his car. The explosion could plausibly take out the couple, allowing them to run off and hide. At least for a while before Percy caught onto them.
"Nikita…" She knew it was dangerous and reckless. But she was desperate. She didn't know what else to do. The idea to destroy Division was hers. Nikita dragged Michael into the fight, and he was going to pay the price. She couldn't let that happen. They had worked too hard for the past four years to just give up then. They had to continue their fight. They had done so much good, there was no way they could stop. The couple deserved to live. He deserved to live.
Ryan was hesitant, however. He didn't appear willing to simply turn his back on the organization he devoted his life to for so long. Nikita could understand that. She knew he wanted to help her, but he also wanted to help protect all of the agents and recruits. But the other reason he was there, to get revenge for his brother, Nikita didn't think that would ever happen, "You really think they're gonna let you take time to find your brother's killer? It's been eight years, Ryan. Division doesn't care about you."
It was a low blow. The hurt flashing in Ryan's eyes showed that. However, he knew Nikita was right. Deep down, Ryan knew Percy and Division were leading him around. He was just so focused on revenge, he couldn't see clearly. Nikita fought through that fog, forcing him into reality. It was a big leap, and a huge chance. But he just might be willing to take it, "You're really gonna burn this place?"
Nikita nodded, fierce determination in her gaze. Ryan sighed. After a moment, he helped her plan her escape with Michael. He'd keep the heat off of them as long as he could, but the rest would be up to them. She kissed him on the cheek as a thankyou, hurrying to ready for the mission. There was no time to warn Michael. Even if there was, they had established a 'no contact while inside Division' rule. She just had to hope he would understand her meaning when she ran into him at the bar intel stated he would be at. Everything was happening so fast. Yet she couldn't let that overwhelm her. She needed to focus. She needed to breathe, "Is this seat taken?"
Michael whirled around in his chair, beaming brightly at the sight of Nikita. Her eyes made him freeze, however. They were serious, stubborn, and were warning him. The couple had grown impossibly close over the years. They knew more about each other than anyone else, and they loved each other more than anyone else. Michael and Nikita could practically read one another's mind, knowing what they were thinking with simple glances. So as she stared at him in the bar, he knew something was wrong; he wasn't talking to his Nikita. Clearing his throat, he indicated the empty seat next to him, "Uh, no. No. Please."
"Thanks. My shoes are killer," Emphasis dripped on her last word. As she sat, Nikita's eyes flickered to Ryan. He stood away from the couple, attempting to blend into the crowd. Michael caught the shift in attention, and subtly glanced over. The second he spotted Ryan, he knew what was happening. A kill order was issued because of his knowledge of Division. Someone he trusted betrayed him.
"Then why wear 'em?" It took everything in him to try and play cool. Nikita noticed, smiling softly. She had a plan. She was offering him a lifeline, and Michael grasped at it. He trusted her to see him through. He would've loved to be aware of all the information, but he knew that was impossible. He'd have to roll with the punches, and hope it landed them somewhere safe and sound.
"How else am I supposed to lure a man to come run away with me?" There it was, the entire counter mission. The four years had caught up to Michael and Nikita, and it was time to run. Judging by Nikita's expression, however, they weren't going to be gone long. She looked as though she wanted to return and continue their fight; it would take a lot to make her back down. He could get behind that stubbornness. Division would pay.
"Seems pretty presumptuous," Leaning across the table, Michael played into the flirting Nikita had established. She relaxed. He spotted Ryan relaxing as well out of the corner of his eyes. Nikita must've finally talked to him and got them onto their side- good. Since the couple were going on the run, they were going to need as many allies as they could get.
"A girl's gotta hope," Nikita extended her hand to him. Silently, she was begging Michael to take it. It was one thing to talk about escaping, it was another to actually do it. She hadn't really given him a heads up either. It was then or never; there was no going back. That was their only chance, "So. Are you in?"
"For you? Always," Michael's prosthetic didn't twitch. With Nikita, he was sure and steady. They could do anything. She smiled wide, and took his hand. Together they walked out of the bar, faced the car bomb, and sped off in the getaway car Ryan tossed them to keys to. They'd need to discuss everything, solve who ratted on him, and strategize a new battle plan later. For the moment, however, they were riding off into the unknown storm awaiting them.