How did everything go so wrong, so fast. He thought he had it right. He should've had it right. But everything was stacking up against him. Sean had always had a bad feeling about his Oversight assignment. He had thought he was doing something worthwhile, though. Catching a rogue agent and cleaning up the mess that was Division was a great thing. That was how his mother had painted it for him. Discovering her involvement with an organization like Oversight had been a shock. He couldn't believe she controlled something so corrupt. Apparently it hadn't started out that way. She had meant for Division to protect the country, but Percy ruined everything. Why would he not see her side of things. Why would his mother deceive him.
Crashing into Nikita changed all that, however. As a Seal the enemy was always clear cut and definable. Yet Division and Nikita were confusing. Sean had to go solo to rescue Lisa. No one in Division would lift a finger to help their fellow agent- Amanda's orders. Nikita, on the other hand, sacrificed everything she had for Birkhoff. She gave up her major advantage over her enemy to save her teammate without thought. And when she encountered Sean, she didn't try to kill him. He wanted to end the threat on his mother's life, but she still didn't aim to kill him. She simply talked to him.
He hated that what Nikita had said made sense. Not complete sense, yet enough to fill in the gaps left by Oversight. She only wanted to fix wrongs; she didn't want to hurt anyone. Sean had been the one to shoot Gaines, and his mother's group were the liars and assholes. He started to see Nikita's point of view. However, he wouldn't give into it. So much was being held from him, and he needed to find the answers on his own. It was the only way to discover the truth. The problem was, he didn't have anyone he trusted to help him. He thought he could have trusted his mother. After Oversight and Division, though, that was obviously not the case. He was attempting to solve everything on his own, and it was exhausting.
Sean wished he could talk to Alex. He knew he couldn't tell her everything that was going on. But she was always someone he could turn to when things became too much. She listened to what he could rant about, and gave him some kind of advice. It wasn't perfect, yet it always did the trick. He was certain she could ease his racing mind and help him create a solution, but she was sick. She had texted that she came down with some awful stomach bug; she couldn't go into work, and they couldn't have their date.
Although Sean was upset about that, he was glad she wasn't pushing herself. Alex had the tendency to fight through her illnesses. It was better that she rested and healed, than spend time with him. He had tried to call her and check in, yet he was dropped straight to voicemail. He figured she was sleeping or at the doctors'. The more that occurred, however, the more anxious he became. He hoped she was alright, that there was some logical reason she wasn't answering. Once the fallout of his black box trade settled (there were consequences for him destroying the damn thing), he called one last time. If she didn't pick up, he was going to burst down her door and ensure she was safe. Thankfully, she finally answered, "Hey, Alex. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. At the doctors'," Her reply was clipped. Alex's voice was near emotionless as she gave him her answer. Sean was a tad shocked by it. He told himself it simply was her illness. She was tired and stressed, of course she would respond that way. Yet a part of him felt like she was hiding something from him. She was livid about something, and he had to know it. He attempted to shake that feeling off. With Division and Oversight clouding his senses, he was overreacting. Nothing was amiss; they were perfect.
"Oh. Well, I can come by later. Bring you some soup," Sean suggested lightly. He hoped Alex would take him up on the offer. He knew he couldn't be selfish, not if she was sick. But he had to see her. Any excuse to swing by her apartment, he would make. He was giving her the space and time she needed, however he was so ready to begin a relationship with her. There was a strong possibility that could happen soon. They simply had to make all the pieces fit.
That was easier said than done. Sean's assignment with Oversight screwed with his schedule and his stress. He hadn't been able to spend as much time with Alex as he would've liked. She had been understanding, and had assured him. Things were going to be awesome between them. He had to keep reminding himself of that fact. Especially when she brushed him off, "It's a really bad flu. You should stay away."
"Okay. But I'm always a phone call away if you need me," It wasn't a brush off. Sean's anxieties about Nikita and his mother frayed his emotions. Alex wasn't pushing him away. She was sick; that was all it was. He had to take a breath- a break. Not everything was a secret or some sort of insane conspiracy. He was making assumptions out of nothing. She wouldn't do that to him.
"I'll keep that in mind," Without another word, Alex hung up on Sean. She was still processing the news that he worked for Oversight. God, did that fact hurt like hell. He must not have known the whole truth. That was the only explanation for why he could've possibly worked for that vile organization. She'd explain it all to him, and then he'd join the right side of the fight. She simply had to get past her anger first. She also had to figure out her roll on the new team she found. The rogues had let her hang around for information sake. But they were unsure what to do with her from there on. She was unsure as well. She believed she could solve that problem, however. She just had to follow Nikita, "I'm going with you."
"Ha. Yeah right," Although her tone was light, Nikita left no room for argument. Since Birkhoff was safe and on the mend, she was going to meet up with Owen to track down another black box. She and Michael were debating whether or not he should come with her- someone should look after Birkhoff- when Alex interrupted. The rogues appreciated the young woman's spirit. Yet she was starting to dive into things way over her head.
"It'd be safer if you stayed here," Michael was considering helping Alex plan her revenge against the man who ordered the hit against her family, Sergei Semak. It was going to be slow and strategic. They couldn't have her rush in; it was too dangerous. She needed to think, and train. He and Nikita weren't so sure about letting her join their war. She was just beyond willing to burn everyone that hurt her, even if she got hurt in the process. If they weren't worried about her safety, they would've admired it. The two wouldn't let anyone else suffer because of that fight.
Alex was too stubborn to give up, however. She was done working for such corrupt people. She was done being kept in the dark. It was time for her demons to feel her wrath. She was ready to fight back. She tried to have Nikita and Michael see that. She had a cover so she could miss work; she secured it while she and Michael waited outside the hospital for Nikita and Birkhoff, "I swiped a doctor's note, and can excuse myself from work for a while. I can go."
"Crafty. But no," Shrugging, Nikita continued to shut down the idea. Alex's flu excuse was a good one, and could buy her a lot of time. However, the rogue wouldn't let her risk her life. She understood her hatred for Division, and for the fact that she had worked with the woman who sanctioned her parents' murder. There was just a time and place for revenge. The time had to have been when the young woman was trained. And the place, unfortunately, was across the world.
"You'll need a partner," Crossing her arms defiantly, Alex argued. She had overheard Nikita and Michael discussing that particular subject. Ryan was gone, and Birkhoff needed to rest (which he was doing at the moment). Michael wasn't going to let Nikita go out there alone, however. She brought up Owen and the fact that the best person to help the nerd adjust to his hand injury was him. Yet he shook his head. She needed someone reliable to watch her back; she was the one to shake her head at that. She could handle herself, while he held down the fort. Although he knew she could, he was still cautious. That was, of course, when Alex butt in.
"And what makes you a better one than Michael or Owen?" Nikita copied her stance. Just like in the alley, it was a battle of stubbornness. Alex could see that the rogue was waning, though. It was almost as if she wanted her to make an airtight argument. The young woman was aware of the dangers she was facing. She was also aware their trust in one another at the moment was thin. But she was ready for that venture. It was how she was going to make everything right. She could prove she deserved to live by getting vengeance and defeating evil.
So, Alex threw Nikita's words at her. She had asked before why the rogue stayed at Division for so long, raging the war from inside. She said it was because no one suspected a woman of being a double agent. It was also how she kept her loved ones safe. Knowing how protective and determined the rogue was, helped the young woman know she was making the right choice, "Like you said, no one notices a girl."
Nikita took a moment to think it over. She mumbled something about Owen not being subtle at all, and how Michael's prosthetic drew attention at times. Michael was bewildered. He couldn't believe that argument worked. Revenge he understood; he always did. Yet they couldn't afford to be reckless. They had to be smart and safe. It was how everyone was going to make it home, "You're not seriously considering this?"
"Well if she wants to join our team, she's gotta learn the ropes," Was all Nikita could say in explanation. She wasn't going to let Alex actually go on a mission with her and Owen. However, she could teach the young woman how to plan an op and the right things to study. She could also show her some basic sparring techniques. She quickly explained that to Michael, and he begrudgingly saw her point. Sometimes, the best way to teach was by doing. Especially if they needed to teach someone as fast as possible.
"So I'm coming?" Alex nearly bounced on her toes, causing Michael and Nikita to share an amused glance. Maybe allowing her to tag along was a good thing. They needed more help, and the young woman provided so much with her information on Madeline and Sean Pierce. She was going to be a great addition to their team. That was something positive they could all hold onto. Or, at least try to.
"I've already made enough bad decisions. So why not?"