CHAPTER FIVE - OWEN

Owen has always been a good spectator. He can stand in the background and just see everything. The problem with seeing everything, he sees things he does not want to see. For instance, seeing Nikita cry.

When they first met, he wanted nothing more than to shoot her. When she stopped her from avenging Emily, he wanted to retaliate and he ended up knowing her story, why she wanted to bring Division down and he saw something broken beneath that strong façade. He realized he was the one to have caused that.

Maybe it was guilt at first that prompted him to seek her, be there for her. After all, it was him who killed Daniel. He rationalized it as part of the job. He was following orders but he's not a machine. He had grown a conscience and his action caused Nikita to make a complete turnaround and became Percy's downfall.

Respect grew shortly. She never fails to amaze him how despite everything she went through, she maintained that big heart of hers. The desire to help others, save people, protect those she cares about, is so strong that it's infectious. Daniel's death has turned her into something else—a powerful presence he cannot stay away from.

Whenever he feels himself drifting, losing his way, he seeks her out. He will not tell her the reason why. He will simply just be around her, help her out with her latest mission and he will come out of it with his faith renewed. That's what Nikita does for him. The woman has completely changed him without her knowing it.

So, to see her cry and hurting because the man that she loves is dumb enough to treat her like that makes him mad. How dare he say those things to her? How dare he acts like his life is over because she saves his life? He meant what he said. Michael should be on his knees thanking her because no one else would have had the stomach to do something like that to the person she loves. He does not know whether he can go through something like that.

It is plain enough to see for everyone that she's not taking it easy. Whenever she would catch glance of that mechanical hand, he can see the wince on her face followed by extreme guilt. The bags under her eyes she tries desperately to cover with concealer prove that it keeps her up at night. Yet, she still shows up to work every single day, giving her best to missions.

Michael is dealing. Owen understood that, but does he really need to push her away like that? He wants to knock some sense into him but it is not his place. He tried. Michael is just as stubborn as Nikita when it comes to it.

During that celebration dinner, Owen is beyond worried. He has never seen Nikita to be distracted like that. She's there with them and yet, she's so far away. He drove her home and tried to talk to her. It even worries him more for her admit that she's tired.

He contemplated that when he came back. How much more can a person takes before he breaks? He dreads the answer to that. He finds that it's one of his biggest fears, to see Nikita breaks.

When she takes that mission to target a former cleaner, he prayed that someone will be able to talk her out of it but he already knew that when she said she'll do it, no one will be able to stop her. He did the only thing he could, he came along with her.

It's beautiful the way she fights. He has known that from day one. The first time they fought, he was challenged by her. His reflexes were enhanced by drugs. Hers were just innately hers.

What he did not expect to see that night was another side of her. It's a side of her that made him realize why Percy and Amanda are scared of her. Why she alone can bring an entire government agency down…he saw it unfold in one single fight.

The way she hammered her fists on that agent, she's not playing around. She meant to kill him, plain and simple. There was something in her eyes he hadn't seen before. He could not explain it. Even when he yelled her name, she couldn't hear him. When he pulled her away from that dead body, he doubted that it occurred to her what she had just done. She had simply walked away from the scene instructing the team to clean it up.

The blood on his hands and his clothes prompted him to run after her. He just got in time before she hit the ground. She's hurt…bad. Fear crept up fast as he called Division to get the Medical ready. She's bleeding all over the van and he did his best to stop it but with the moving vehicle and all, it was a tall order.

They took her from his arms as soon as they arrived back at Division. Ryan asked what happened and he recited like a programmed robot. His eyes were only trained on Nikita on the bed, fighting for her life. It was also the first time in a while he saw Michael broke his detachment face for her. The man was gravely worried.

Owen thought that should be enough to shake him back to his senses and he was right. He would have preferred it with Nikita not nearly dying for Michael to wake up but that's what it took. He just hopes that it's really enough because he would gladly give the man a piece of his mind and a piece of his fist.

Then, Nikita did something impossible once again. She brought Michael a new hand.

It's astonishing science, he admits. What bothers him though is the look on Nikita's face. One would think she would be overjoyed by what she achieved but he saw something else. In his time being in the background observing everything, observing Nikita, he learned to read her like a book. Behind the smile, the spark in her eyes, he saw something dark. He saw secrets.

She said the hand was a gift from Heidecker for saving his life but he doubts that now. That is one pricey hand. He knows there's more she's not telling and he wants to know what that is.

"So…new hand, that's a feat, yeah?" he said when he cornered her alone at the training room.

She is beating up the poor bag like it personally offended her.

"Yeah…brilliant minds tend to make crazy stuff", she replied while punching the bag.

"Okay, I will cut to the chase. How much did it cost you?" she stopped and frowned at him. "…the hand, how much did it cost you?" he asked.

"I already told you. Heidecker gave it to me because I saved his life", she lied…again.

Owen bristled and shook his head.

"You see, you said that but I don't believe you. It's me, Nikita. Don't play me. I know that hand costs more than you rescuing the guy. I can see it all over your face so just spill it out", he insisted.

It's that deer caught in the headlights look that sealed it for him. He was right.

"Owen, please don't ask me questions I cannot answer", she pleaded.

He started to get nervous. What has she gotten herself into? Where is her self-preservation? Now, Owen wants to knock some sense into her. Why does this woman has to be so selfless, he thought.

"Nikita, what did you do? Tell me", he asked with all seriousness.

She tried to escape him but he only blocked her way.

"It's nothing, Owen. You know I can handle myself. If I ever get myself in real trouble, you're the first one I will call", she responded.

That made him arch a brow. "You will?" Nikita scoffed.

"It's not like I can call Michael in this situation", she deadpanned.

"Depends on what kind this situation is", he retorted.

"It's the kind that I need to take care of by myself and where you need to keep it shut. I mean it, Owen", she snapped.

There is no convincing her to tell him what's going on with her, so he settled for her promise. If there's one thing he's sure of about her, Nikita does not break her word.

"You promise to call me first?" she nodded. "Fine. I'll keep it quiet, but you come to me if something happens. Got it?" he proposed.

"Got it. Thank you, Owen", she agreed.


Things were quiet after that. It's like the tension between Nikita and Michael is over. Well, that's what everyone thinks but not Owen. He never loses his sight on Nikita. She's a good actress. He has to give it to her. She smiles and laughs and everyone sees a happy woman who's very good at killing people. She even got Michael convinced. Perhaps, he is still in cloud nine after getting his hand back.

Then something happened.

A major businessman was killed. It got everyone puzzled. None could find any motive other than a business competitor, but the alibi panned out. The shot was precise…too precise. A bullet to the head.

"The president asked us to take a look into this. It already hits the news and it's kind of a delicate matter", Ryan started.

Alex bristled. "I thought we don't do active mission", she muttered.

Sean agreed with his girl. Of course, he will. The two is like a package deal nowadays. Wherever Alex goes, Sean follows. A Russian heiress and a Navy Seal.

"Well, we need to get on top of this because fingers are being pointed at Division. It's to be expected considering Division's reputation but I am determined to make it clear to the government that it was not us so we need to find who killed Phillip Hayes", Ryan explained.

"That makes sense. I am up for it. I like a good detective mission", Sean said which made Alex scoffed and rolled her eyes around.

"You mean passing onto me all the researching stuff", his girlfriend grumbled under her breath.

That prompted everyone to laugh.

"You like to read!" Sean exclaimed.

"That is true", Birkhoff seconded.

Meanwhile, Owen noticed that Nikita remained silent. It's unlike her to remain quiet when a mission was laid out in front of her. She always has an opinion, a plan forming inside her brain. She's bossy by nature. Now, she's mute.

"What do you think, Nikita?" Owen asked her.

It killed the laughter and all eyes turned to her. Everyone is waiting for her input on the mission.

"I think Alex and Sean can handle the mission. Alex can provide a good cover. Sean has her back. It will be done quietly. It's meant to be only a detective work anyway", she answered with a smile towards the two.

"Awww…thank you. See, we're good at detective work", Sean mused.

Alex slapped his arm before they all laughed. Owen kept his eyes on Nikita. The moment their eyes connected, he knew he needed to talk to her.


He caught up with her in front of the elevator.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Out", she simply said.

"…on another secret mission or another secret hit?" he dared asked.

Nikita stopped walking, turned around, and came at him fast. Next thing he knew, he's already pinned against the wall with her arm pressed against his neck.

"What are you doing? You said you'll keep it shut. This is not keeping it shut, Owen", she snapped.

"You promised to come to me. Hit jobs? Is that the price for Michael's hand?"

It was only a guess, nothing but a mere guess. He never expected the response he got.

"YES!" he halted. "Damn it, Owen! Why can't you just leave it alone?" she finally released his neck.

He watched her paced back and forth while running her hands through her hair.

"Nikita…"

"Don't. I don't need it, Owen. We made a deal. That's it. We're not talking about this", and with that she exited Division.