Nikita felt like she was treading water. One minute she was enjoying the warm sun on her face and the cool ocean on her shoulders. And the next, a harsh wave dragged her under. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Then, she was spat miles from where she was and relaxing in peace once again. The cycle was dizzying. As her mind caught up to it, she thought she was going insane. How else could she have described her crusade. She and her team would secure a win, yet would lose shortly after. She met Michael; she ended up dragging him into her war. They were engaged; they had to fake their deaths and go on the run. Ryan was their mole; Birkhoff still worked for Division. The team stole a black box; Ryan left. And Nikita found Alex, only to almost lose Birkhoff. It was becoming too much.
Her thoughts and emotions were unloaded onto Owen without hesitation. He asked if she was alright, and Nikita discovered she couldn't keep it hidden. The war was taking too much from her. She just wanted it to stop. She wanted to go home with Michael. After so many goddamn years, she should've been able to go home. Owen was actually pretty decent at comforting her. Maybe he learned from all the times she had to settle him. Regardless, he reminded Nikita that her ability to protect was a gift. She was going to save the world. She had already saved her team countless times- just look at Alex for example.
Alex. Having her tag along actually wasn't that bad. Nikita answered some more of her questions, and had her own inquiries cleared up as well. The rogue also showed the young woman all the skills she had promised. They were quick lessons mostly, while Nikita and Owen were doing something about Gogol (seriously, Owen, Gogol) and gaining another black box. But Alex learned even quicker. She listened intently, and took her advice seriously. Sure, there were moments where she would snark back. But otherwise, she was a great student. She helped lighten the tension as it all came crashing down around the rogues. The decision to let her in hadn't backfired on them after all.
Owen working for Gogol was backfiring, however. There was also whatever the hell was going on with the guardians to worry about. Michael and Birkhoff could only supply so much support from the beach house. They would investigate what was occurring, but it was up to Nikita and Owen to stop them. Easier said than done. Nikita was arrested, and Owen was grabbed by Ari. Fortunately, Alex was left at the hotel to practice her sparring; she was kept away from the danger. She wanted to be involved, help the rogues. Nikita simply nodded before running off and locking the door behind her. The young woman being there with them was already risky enough. There couldn't be any more risks.
She was terrible at that, though, wasn't she. The queen of reckless was off without thought once again. Michael was always trying to have her slow down and plan; his planning had gotten the two of them out of a lot of trouble. But Nikita just couldn't. She wanted to end that crusade so badly. The instant she had a lead, she was going to rush off to take it. She had the chance of a happy ending with her fiancé. There was no way she was going to sacrifice that forever. Division was going to burn, and her team would be free.
Getting free from the handcuffs and the burning car were her first priority. Tracing down the guardian and the black box landed Nikita and Owen in a lot of danger. Nothing they couldn't handle. Yet it felt like one more loss to add to the pile; Ari had a black box full of Division's secrets. At least Ryan came back. He rushed to the scene and helped Nikita and Owen escape. Apparently, Michael had called him for backup. He also apparently told him about Alex, seeing as he was unfazed by her appearance at the hotel. After a rushed catch up of what was occurring, Nikita was ready to sprint off once more. A black box was their greatest advantage against Division; she had to get one. It was how she planned on bringing them home.
Ryan wouldn't let her run off alone, though. So Nikita dragged Alex with her. It wasn't her smartest play. But she wanted to delay talking to her partner for a moment. They had both made mistakes back in London; it wasn't completely his fault. Yet he didn't have to keep them out in the cold like he had done. He dumped their team, and that hurt. Nikita could focus on other things, however. She had to look after Alex, and ensure Ryan and Owen could contact her when they found the guardian. She also had Michael and Birkhoff at the beach house waiting for her. They were something solid to hold onto. They had her back no matter what.
Even when she felt as though she was letting them down. Nikita's rashness led to Birkhoff's torture. She was the reason he had to face Amanda like that. And her obsession had caused hers and Michael's engagement to last so long. He agreed that he wanted Division to be destroyed before they married. Yet she knew he was growing impatient, despite how hard he tried not to show it. She was growing impatient as well. She wanted that future promised to her. Division continued to take and take and take. Nikita had no choice but to fight back with everything she had. If that meant following Ari to Gogol territory, then so be it. All that pain had to pay off. Why experience it, if it was only going to kill her.
"I know these woods," When the rogue and young woman stumbled into Russia, Alex muttered as if in a trance. Nikita was too busy thinking about how to steal the black box and protect Alex at the same time to pay any attention. She should've listened to Michael. He would've been the better partner, helping her scheme. Alex should've stayed with Birkhoff. Hell, she could've called Sean Pierce like she had suggested. The team would love new members. But Nikita had to have been stubborn. She wanted Alex to rage hell against Division and Oversight with her. What greater 'fuck you' than that, "My papa used to take me here. I think I'm home."
Again, having Alex tag along actually wasn't that bad. Nikita stopped her, asking for clarification. They were near the Udinov estate. Gogol and their Zetrov ties must've taken over the abandoned place. The young woman appeared to process that shock well. Or she was simply attempting to put on a brave front to follow Nikita. The rogue gave her a smile for her efforts. They would get her revenge, have her return home. That was what the team was fighting for already. The two trekked far into the woods, following the tracker on Ari's car. Until Alex tripped over a wire. Nikita cursed, "Gogol controlled. Fucking…"
They managed to hide just in time. However, the panic was settling in around Alex. Training and learning from the agents was one thing. Being out in the field was a hell of a lot more frightening and dangerous than she thought. Nikita did her best to calm her. They were going to be alright. Alex had extensive knowledge of the area, while Nikita knew everything about Gogol's operations. Their combined knowledge would give them super strength. That helped to settle the both of them. What they were doing wasn't a terrible idea. They would overcome. Especially Alex's shock, "I thought the satellite images were a lie."
"Come on. We can probably get in through the cellar," Nikita snuck them into the rebuilt house. Michael had shown Alex the images; it was to help her plan her revenge. However, the young woman didn't want to accept that Semak would replicate her childhood home. He killed her family, took over her father's business. Wasn't that enough. Why did he have to take everything she once had. The rogue had no soothing words for her. She was just as livid, and confused. The villains they faced just had to be insane; they just had to have been egotistical bastards. Percy was a monster through and through. Amanda was a coldhearted bitch. And Madeline was corrupt and vile. All three of them also had too much power at hand. Not for long, though, not if Nikita and her team could help it.
They simply needed to stop being dragged under by the waves. Alex and Nikita crashed into a room to evade Gogol guards. The women were trying to search the house for any signs of Ari. Alex thought he might be with Semak in her father's old office. Telling her that was an excellent idea, Nikita went to lead them there. They just had to take a quick detour. Neither stopped to think if the room was empty or not. But in their defense, the woman they saw brushing her hair shouldn't have been there. Not if their memories were serving them correctly. Nikita stood by the door, gaping. Whereas Alex, exhibiting more strength than she ever could've imagined herself having, walked towards what should've been a ghost, "Mama?"