Chapter 4 The Visit

Birkhoff stiffened at the sound of the knock, turning his head to stare at the door. Heart pounding, he imagined Amanda waiting on the other side with another analysis to further threaten his status for field work. Although a visit from her was decidedly less threatening than one from Percy. Quickly stuffing the documents into the pouch he slipped it beneath the table, pressing up on the Velcro to make it stick. The knock sounded again, three soft raps that were not Amanda's usual knock, or Percy's for that matter. Surprised, he wondered if it might be the paper boy again coming to collect, though he'd already explained to the kid that he'd cancelled and paid in full a month ago. Poor thing needed the money, and he wouldn't be surprised if he was here to try to get him to subscribe again.

"It' s gotta be him," he murmured, going to the door and pulling it open. He froze, staring blankly into Alexandra's magnificent eyes. She smiled shyly, gazing up at him with obvious embarrassment.

"Sorry to bother you…" she said just above a whisper, glancing past him with curiosity.

"I thought you were the paper boy—" he said in amazement, the words trailing off as he chided himself for not checking the peephole. But never would he have imagined Alex standing on his doorstep.

"Can I come in?" she prompted softly, glancing back over his shoulder with sudden concern, "unless you have company?"

He stared at her, the word registering in his brain. He wondered if she actually thought he might have another woman in here with him, the mere thought making him nearly laugh out loud.

"Ah no—I don't have company," he replied, telling himself to stop acting like an idiot. But what was she doing here?

"Don't you remember?" she whispered, eyes pleading with him, "I said that I had to see you?"

"Of course I remember," he shot back, finally coming to his senses. Glancing up and down the hall he reached forward, gripping her arm and stepping aside to guide her in. He shut the door and bolted it, leaning his weight onto one hand which he planted upon its cool surface. Closing his eyes in frustration, he felt torn between sheer joy and horror at her coming here.

"I'm sorry I didn't call first…"

"You don't have my cell number," he stated, finally turning to face her. With a frustrated sigh he shoved his hair back with one hand. "What are you doing here, Alex?"

Her hopeful expression faded as she studied his tortured expression. "I wanted to see you— it couldn't wait til tutoring tomorrow night."

He shook his head, feeling overwhelmed. "If anybody saw you come here or if anyone finds out—"

"They won't," she soothed, staring up at him in confusion. "I was careful—"

"Actually you can't be here," he decided, turning to his desk and scratching out his number on a piece of paper. He ripped it from the pad and held it out. "Here's my number but no one—and I mean no one has it but Percy and Amanda, ok? You can call me whenever, but right now you have to leave. And make it quick before anyone sees you—"

"No," she stated, grabbing the paper from his grasp and placing a hand on his chest, effectively stopping him. He froze, staring into her eyes as his nerves short circuited. "Birkhoff, you really need to learn how to relax—"

"It's Daniel," he stated, catching her hand away from his pounding heart as her expression changed to wonder.

"But—I thought your name was Seymour," she said, turning her hand inside his and making him realize he still held it. Releasing it abruptly, he made a mental note not to touch her again.

"That's my middle name," he stated, feeling like he was 12 year old.

She smiled warmly, reaching up to gather her hair forward, letting it fall over her navy pea coat. "Daniel suits you," she breathed, turning her head to look around at his apartment. He started at her hair, the scent and sight of it making him want to bury his face in its softness. Then he mentally shook himself.

"Look, as unexpected and pleasant as this little visit is, you have to go," he announced, turning to grip the handle of the door. Eyeing her meaningfully, he was thrown when she didn't react to the blatant hint. Nodding his head toward it meaningfully, he waited. "Now."

"But I just got here," she said close to a pout, crossing her arms. "You know I risked a lot trying to get your address."

"Oh I can imagine," he smiled sarcastically, still fearful that one of the brass would show up and find them together. "Don't get me wrong, I'm honored—but you still have to go," he added, turning to look into the peep hole to check the hall.

"Why are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Ah, there's the slight problem of your curfew ending soon not to mention rules about no commingling between recruits and staff," he stated, turning back to face her. "Trust me, I'm totally flattered that you went through all that trouble but I don't want either of us to suffer the punishment—"

"I'm not worried," she challenged, holding his surprised gaze. Then to his horror she came toward him, lifting her hands before he caught her wrists.

"What are you doing?" he choked, watching her smile reappear. Slowly pulling free she grasped both sides of the collar of his flannel shirt and gently pulled them from the neckline of his sweatshirt. Stunned, he held perfectly still while she smoothed it down, her fingers brushing his collarbone.

"There—you seem very jumpy tonight," she said softly.

He swallowed, leaning back against the door as she moved closer. "Alex, you need to go—right now."

She tilted her head, with a slight frown. "But we have over an hour before I have to be back," she said calmly, smoothing her hands down the zipper of his sweatshirt, making him crazy with wanting.

"Look if Percy finds out you've been here, he'll go nuts—"

"He doesn't scare me—"

"Maybe not, but he scares the hell out of me," he choked, reaching sideways to grab his coat from the nearby hook. He straightened and inserted one arm into the sleeve as she moved back slightly, watching him. "Ok we'll sneak out into the alley first, then I'll take you back that's all—see? No problem," he stated, turning to unlock the door. "I'll see you tomorrow at our tutoring session, we can chat then—"

"I don't want to chat."

He glanced from the peephole to her bemused expression. "What?"

Her eyes were searching his, looking all dark and liquidy and he felt like he was drowning. "I know you like me, Daniel…"

"Really," he swallowed, turning the door handle behind his back. "I'm sorry but that's not an option—"

"It was you who started it," she accused softly, watching him carefully, "especially when you acted the way you did at the vending machine."

"Me? Started what?" he choked, realization dawning. "Oh, that! Look, I was exhausted—I admit it—and maybe I acted a little jet-lagged and crazy—"

"There was more to it than that," she argued, reaching for the sleeve of his coat he hadn't put on, "but if you want to pretend there wasn't, I guess you can."

He shrugged into the rest of his jacket, tugging it over his chest. "Look I already said I was crazy tired that night—"

"Admit it, Daniel—"

"Ok, ok!" he said in frustration, holding up his hands. "I admit that when you noticed I was back it kind of went to my head, but in an Ozzie and Harriet kind of way."

"Who?" she breathed, looking unconvinced.

"Oh—I guess that was before your time—"

"I really like you too," she stated, lifting her chin, "and Nikita thinks we'd be good for each other."

He squinted at her in confusion and growing alarm. "Nikita? What on earth is going on—?"

"Don't worry about being canceled," she waved dismissively, "our situation is nothing like hers was, being involved with a civilian and all—"

"Our 'situation?'" he repeated in disbelief. "What situation—no never mind that for now, what's this about you and Nikita? Are you saying you've had contact with her? Because if you have, we're in even deeper trouble that I thought—"

"I'm her mole, Daniel," she interrupted, effectively silencing him.

He stared at her in disbelief, his mind shooting off along too many tangents involving Alex, Nikita and Percy's hatred of his rogue spy. "Don't tell me—"

"I'm your data breach, Birkhoff."

He slumped back against the door, lifting a hand to his head. Closing his eyes, he tried blocking out her words. "Please, don't—"

"It's true," she said quietly, grabbing the lapels of his coat. He opened his eyes and stared at her. "I'm working with Nikita, and you're the first to know."

Alex smiled to herself as she settled into his embrace, enjoying the feel of his arms around her as they hid in the space outside the secret tunnel. They listened to the sound of footsteps slow down, then there was a pause and silence. Leaning against him, she could felt the solid strength of his chest and felt his cheek touch her temple. She squeezed his arm as the steps resumed, thankfully heading away from their direction and down into the adjacent hallway. They echoed eerily back through the open ceiling as the only the security guard she knew of completed his usual rounds. But Birkhoff didn't know that, nor did he know she'd been using this unused wing of Division for months to go in and out to meet Nikita. She'd insisted on showing him, despite his reluctance, explaining that it was the safest way to get back in together, which he'd ended up having to agree.

Turning back to look up at him at the same time he lowered his head to speak, their movements brought their lips into close proximity. Unable to keep from staring at his well shaped mouth, she was tempted to rise to her toes and kiss him but it was way too soon. Still, when she looked up into his eyes she saw desire cloaked in a warning glance that told her to beware. Touching his shoulder, she turned her head to whisper into his ear.

"He won't be back," she whispered as he nodded, relaxing his hold on her waist. Reluctantly stepping back, she held onto his arm and waited nevertheless. He nodded to her, expelling a soft sigh of relief as he lowered his arms to his sides.

"I'm getting too old for this," he whispered before she took his hand, raising a finger to her lips as she smiled. Nodding down the hall, she felt him squeeze her hand in agreement and she led him the rest of the way.

They stayed close as she led the way past the HVAC tunnel into which she'd crawled to spy on him in his lab. Nikita had told her its whereabouts, mentioning the fact that he was her primary choice if they were ever to gain an ally within Division. She'd tried that unsuccessfully, kidnapping him during his previous op to capture her when she'd visited her fiancé's grave. But he had remained loyal to Percy, out of fear if nothing else.

"How much farther?" he whispered, glancing at his watch. "Only 30 minutes to curfew."

"Not far," she whispered back, turning away with a secret smile. Her plan was working perfectly, and by the time she led him to her door he was more than eager to hide momentarily in her room. Slipping her key card into the slot she turned the knob and opened her door, glancing back at him and noting his reluctance nevertheless.

"Just for a minute," she whispered, relieved by his furtive glance down the hall and answering nod. He entered behind her, turning to bolt her door. Raising a hand to his temple he turned and faced her.

"Ok, what am I doing here?" he said more to himself than to her. Obviously on edge, he eyed every detail he could see even as she took his hand again.

"I have something for you," she said quietly, leading him to her bureau.

"No really, I have to go," he stated nervously, shaking his head. "If I'm caught in here I'm in a world of trouble, even more than you'll ever be—"

"It's fine," she whispered, opening the top drawer and taking out the small envelope she had waiting for him. Turning back to face him she saw him cross his arms, either in defense or impatience. "Plus I wanted you to see where my room was."

"It's nice, great—very homey," he said distractedly, pinning her with his gaze. "Now can I go?"

"After you take this," she stated, reaching for his hand and opening it for him.

Into his palm she pressed the small marcasite pin which was in the shape of a cross, gazing up at him in the dim light of her room. His expression was guarded before he stared down at it in silence, obviously at a loss for words. She wondered if she'd done the right thing, given his silence and lack of reaction.

"It was a gift from my mother for making honors in school," she told him softly, "in computers…"

He lifted his eyes to hers, clearly stunned. "Computers?"

She nodded. "You were right about me knowing more than I let on…I thought it was an appropriate token of our friendship."

He stared back down at it, swallowing hard. "No one's ever given me a gift before," he said quietly.

Astounded by that revelation, she held her breath until he closed his hand around it. He touched her arm with his other hand, seemingly moved by her expression of friendship.

Could it be true, that no one ever gave him a gift? she wondered. When he said nothing more she knew it must be true. He clearly had no idea how to react, and before she thought about it she reached out and put her arms around him.

Stepping closer, she pressed her chest against his and held onto him, daring to lean her cheek on his shoulder. After a moment she felt his arms come up behind her. Then he pressed his cheek against her temple. Tightening her grip, she hugged him while he inhaled slowly, then exhaled just as slowly. Time seemed to stand still before he stiffened, cleared his throat and then gently disengaged himself.

"Thank you," he said, nodding at her hesitant smile but with an aloof expression. "I should go…"

She watched him tuck the pin into his shirt pocket before he turned away, hugging herself now that he was leaving. He went to the door, where he turned back with raised brows.

"I'm sorry I've been impossible tonight," he stated, shaking his head. "It's just that I ah…I don't usually have anyone act like they want to be around me unless it's to fix something for them."

She nodded. "I understand—we friends?"

He nodded. "Of course… I'll see you tomorrow."

"Ok," she smiled happily, "but try not to be too hard on me?"

"Deal—now let me out of this lovely little prison, will you?"

"Ok, if you insist," she played along, going to him as he stepped cautiously out into the hall, eyeing the security cameras. The monitor lights were off, giving him time to sneak out of range and cross the hall to slip into the shadows. When he'd safely made it to the other side he nodded, starting back the way they'd come. She'd already explained the way which led back to the vending machine where they'd first spoken in private.

When he disappeared she closed the door and leaned back against it, still seeing his expression when she'd given him her pin. Overwhelmed with compassion for him, she was even more convinced that he was the right one for her. Praying a quick prayer for his safety she turned to get ready for bed. His class was an early one, and she didn't want to show up with dark circles under her eyes.

Amanda stared at the door of Birkhoff's lab, still not quite believing what she'd seen. Checking her watch again, she noted the time as 12:15. Glancing up at the "no admittance" light she raised her brows and gripped her coat in one hand. He'd entered only a few moments ago looking very distracted and guilty, but with Birkhoff that wasn't all that unusual. What was unusual was the fact that he'd appeared quite suddenly from virtually out of nowhere when he was supposed to be home resting up from his trip. Before he'd left she'd tracked him from Operations finding nothing unusual except the fact that the security cameras at his apartment building were once again malfunctioning. Of course he lived in a rather seedy part of town, unlike her upscale condo in the center of town. But there was something about him that was different, ever since he'd returned.

Watching the lights flicker from behind the darkly tinted glass of the lab, she saw the shadow of his moving about, checking the equipment. "Now what are you up to this time?" she whispered to herself, tempted to bust in and interrogate him. But that would never do—Percy respected him a great for his intelligence and capabilities, so she had to seriously consider every move she made concerning him. But she didn't completely trust him, knowing of his past friendship with Nikita. And, as someone who was in a position to effectively bring Division down single-handedly, Birkhoff was a potentially dangerous man indeed.

If I play my cards right, you'll soon be answering to me, she thought with a sly smile. And Percy be damned…

c. 2011 by Christine Levitt