Chapter 17 Freedom
Nikita eased off the road and pulled into the woods, eyeing the house before which Birkhoff's car pulled up. Astonished at its location and half-hidden appearance, she blew out a soft whistle of appreciation.
"So this is where you've retired," she sighed, pulling up the emergency brake and killing the engine. "Very nice indeed..." Leaning over, she reached for her binoculars and lifted them to get a better view, the moonlight failing to penetrate the dense tree cover surrounding the house. Settling back, she watched him walk to the passenger side door and open it. Alex climbed out, waiting until he shut the door and hit the lock, her head tilted back to look up at him. He settled an arm over her shoulders and they turned to start up the walk. With a wistful sigh Nikita watched her arm curve around his back as Birkhoff leaned down to kiss her temple.
"Oh nerd," she breathed softly, smiling despite herself. They stopped at the door and he turned to Alex, the white flash of his smile accompanying his reaching into his pocket for the keys. He opened the door and bent to pick Alex up. Her soft protest and laugh echoed toward Nikita as she curled her arms around his neck. He carried her over the threshold and into the house, turning on the lights.
Lowering the binocs Nikita sighed tiredly. "I'm happy for you both," she whispered. "I hope you get to live happily ever after—you certainly deserve it."
Her cell phone buzzed suddenly and she glanced down, recognizing the caller. Scooping it up, she flipped it open with a new excitement. "Hey!"
"I wake you?" Michael's voice soothed as she leaned her head back against the headrest. Over at the house she saw the upstairs lights went on, their golden glow inviting.
"No—I'm up."
"What time is it there anyway?"
"It's only about midnight," she reassured him. "How's Istanbul?"
"Lonely without you," he yawned. "Looks like I'll be stuck here another week, at least."
"Oh no, not when I miss you this much," she protested, listening to his reassurance that it wouldn't be much longer. "So everything going ok?"
"As good as can be expected but I won't elaborate—what are you up to?"
"You'll never guess," she answered, watching the upstairs lights go off.
"Humor me, Nikita," he groaned. "I'm incredibly bored after 14 straight hours of surveillance."
"Actually I'm on a stakeout in the woods across from Birkhoff's new digs," she informed him. "You won't believe the house he bought, and where—"
"What? Wait—don't tell me you followed him?"
"'Them' to be precise," she corrected without any feelings of guilt. "He picked Alex up after work and I followed them here—it's gotta be at least a 2½ hour drive from the city."
"Why on earth?" Michael hissed, surprising her. "That's beyond stalking, Nikita. You're going to have to learn to respect their privacy—"
"But Birkhoff hasn't answered any of my messages all week," she complained, "unless you count his text that read 'Do Not Disturb – Officially on Honeymoon.'"
"What about Alex—she get a chance to check in with you during the week?"
"You might say that, but all she does is gush on and on about what a great husband he is. I really can't get anything done, and with you away—"
"Don't you think Alex should be talking about him like that?" he challenged.
"Well sure, but come on—she'd only been away from him one day when she called me."
Michael sighed deeply. "Listen my love, you're going to have to accept the fact that people need time off at least once in a while—we'd be in a lot better shape if we did the same."
"What? Us? But I thought we were fine!"
"We are—look don't get all worried on me...you know what I mean."
"I'm not worried but don't you realize how bad a time this is for Birkhoff to be unavailable?" she reasoned. "We still have to get you and Alex out of Division before Percy unleashes his anger again, and I just happened to find a lead on the identity of one of the members of Oversight. I had to scour all the security footage I could find from their last meeting location, all without Birkhoff's help."
"Nikita, I'm warning you don't mess with Birkhoff on his time off," Michael lectured, "especially not if you want his help. And as far as Oversight is concerned I don't think you should be going after them until we have a better handle on things, and certainly not on your own."
"But we may never have this opportunity again—which is why I had to at least ask him for help!"
"Yeah well now you're doing a lot more than asking. I'm warning you, if Birkhoff finds out you followed them to his place—especially when it's so obvious that wants it to remain a secret—you'll risk him having nothing more to do with you!"
"Birkhoff?" Nikita chuckled, waving a hand as she watched the downstairs lights go out. "He's like my little brother for goodness' sake, and frankly we're all he's got. I'm not worried—"
"Don't push him, Nikita," Michael insisted, his voice strained. "Look, I need to get off the phone for now but we need to talk about this, and about the future."
"What do you mean, 'the future'?" she asked, trying not to picture what Alex and Birkhoff might be doing at this very moment.
"Our future—which will no doubt include Birkhoff and Alex, unless we alienate them. Look, do us all a favor and start back home. Leave them be until Birkhoff contacts you—ok?"
"But Michael—"
"Do it for him, and for Alex," he insisted. "Right now let him enjoy his newfound freedom and don't push. He hasn't had a life for longer than either of us has."
"Alright, you win…and you're right about that, he hasn't."
"Good—now get going before they discover you were even there. Trust me, they'll respect you much more, and so will I."
"But Michael, this is our chance to get Oversight!"
"I'm not so sure that's the plan, hence the need to have that long talk."
"But if we get Oversight we get Division—which I thought was the plan."
"Look, just try to be patient," he pleaded. "You're not alone anymore, you have me and you have Birkhoff and Alex, assuming they don't find out you're stalking them."
"I'm not stalking!"
"I'm afraid you are, my love. Look we're going to need a team to go anywhere near Oversight OR Division, as far as I'm concerned."
"Alright, I'll try to be patient," she admitted, seeing the wisdom of his advice. "I was just so excited to find that lead."
"The more leads we get, the better," he cautioned her. "Which is why we need a cooperative effort."
"You're right," she sighed, turning the key to start the car. "But once Oversight knows we're onto them they'll have to back off."
"What, and go into deeper cover? Is that what you want, Nikita?"
She sighed. "Maybe you have a point."
"…are you driving away yet?"
"I'm warming up the car—it's cold up here in the Catskills."
"While you're doing that switch to your Bluetooth," he ordered gently. "In fact I'll wait until I hear you switch over, but make it fast—I've got work to do."
"Ok, ok!" she sighed, pressing the button of her Bluetooth and adjusting it. "There—I'm on hands-free…I'm shifting into reverse and officially on my way home—happy now?"
"Prove it—let me hear you get up some speed."
"You haven't seen this road," she complained, shifting into drive and moving back onto the pavement. "It's really steep, with hairpin turns. You can only do 20."
"Do 35, like I know you can," he chuckled. "I'm waiting."
"Alright! Make it 15…20…25…30. I'm already a half mile away."
"Good—keep going. I can hear the engine now so I'll take your word for it. Now say goodnight."
She added a few more things before signing off. The road was moonlit and deserted, and she did get it up to 35 after all. Glancing down toward the lights of the village below, she felt cold and lonely. She was tempted to check into a hotel and try Birkhoff in the morning, but then she thought of Michael's advice and decided to take it. It did go against her independent spirit and inability to work as a team for so many years, but she forced herself.
"Men!" she breathed, shaking her head at his and Birkhoff's stubborn insistence for respecting each others' privacy. But then she thought of Alex's obvious delight with married life and felt a twinge of guilt.
"Well she is in love with you, Nerd," she sighed, glancing in her rear view mirror and seeing no trace of his access road or hidden drive. "But you owe me for this…big time."
She drove on, passing the town and heading for the bridge. As she thought about the possible repercussions of barging in on Birkhoff she sensed that Michael was right. If they were in the same position she wouldn't want Birkhoff barging in on them, especially not on their honeymoon.
"So Michael," she sighed, reaching over to put on her jazz CD, "maybe someday we'll take your advice when we're ready for some privacy..."
Birkhoff caught her scent even before he felt her arms slide around his shoulders. Her lips touched the sensitive spot just below his left ear while her hair tumbled onto his shoulder. Lifting his fingers from the keys he leaned back, gazing up at her impish smile as she slid a hand down his chest beneath his flannel shirt. With her fingers kneading his abs beneath his tee shirt , he reached up to cup her cheek and guide her lips to his. They exchanged a slow kiss which he felt with every fiber of his being. When she sighed softly he turned the chair and gathered her into his arms, lifting her onto his lap, his programming work momentarily forgotten.
"Good morning," he sighed against her lips, curling a hand around her waist.
"Hi," she whispered, smiling as she guided his head back. He obeyed, closing his eyes as she combed her fingers into his hair. He breathed out a cleansing breath, loving her possessive touch.
"Thanks for letting me catch up on my sleep," she said in a low husky voice while massaging his temples with her thumbs.
"You're welcome," he croaked, opening his eyes as he guided her lips back to his. They shared tentative kisses and he smiled at one memory in particular. "You looked like a fairy tale princess—I didn't have the heart to disturb you."
"Why not?" she whispered, nuzzling his whiskered cheek with her lips. "I would've liked being awakened with a kiss."
He cupped her face between both hands, eyeing her meaningfully. "Because I'm no Prince Charming."
"You're not?" she frowned, leaning back to study him critically. "Could have fooled me, but whatever—
I think married life agrees with you, Birkhoff."
"Really?" he countered, tracing a finger down the tiny buttons at the center of her eyelet gown while he held her gaze. "Why do you say that?"
"Let's see," she hedged, gently tracing her fingertips across his eyebrows. "For one thing, you don't have those little frown lines between your eyes anymore...and you seem much more relaxed."
He raised his brows. "Oh I'm far from relaxed, with you sitting on my lap like this," he stated, cupping the back of her head to bestow a firm kiss upon her lips.
She shifted on his lap, pressing closer as her arms went around his shoulders. He quickly lost himself in her kisses, totally agreeing with her assessment that married life did seem to agree with him. The chime of his download completion went pretty much unnoticed as their passion reignited. It only seemed to grown, something he'd not thought possible. Yet now even the slightest glance or fleeting touch from her made him want to drop everything just to hold her. And for that he would be eternally grateful.
"I want you so much," she panted between kisses, laughing when he began to slowly rotate the chair, one foot planted on the floor.
"Ditto," he sighed, his eyes intent on her slightest reaction. He studied her more carefully than any wiring configuration or specs sheet, looking for clues to what made her tick. And he'd found a few.
"Birkhoff, I'm starting to get a dizzy," she giggled softly as she clutched his shoulders.
"That's the plan," he sighed, rotating the chair a few more times before he stopped it abruptly. With a squeak of surprise she gripped his arms while he steadied her until she eyed him critically.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say making love is the only thing on your mind lately," she accused, one hand massaging the back of his neck.
"Then you'd be 99 and 44/100s correct," he sighed, trailing kisses toward her left ear. She shivered and closed her eyes.
"And the other fraction of time?" she sighed, her lips curling up into a smile.
"I do have to set up more programs for Shadowbot," he admitted, pulling her lips back to his for a long, lazy kiss.
"I do have one request, when you have the time," she said between kisses, her hands smoothing down his chest.
"Anything," he whispered, lifting her hair to one side to kiss her neck.
"Let's go take another shower," she teased, eyeing him soberly.
Staring into her gorgeous eyes, he thought the idea a brilliant one. "A shower—right now?"
She nodded, smoothing her hand along his cheek. "I like to wash your hair."
"I like to comb yours out," he said thickly, "that is, after I soap your gorgeous little body all over."
"Birkhoff!" she teased as he gripped her tight and suddenly stood, starting for the stairs. She squealed in surprise, wrapping her legs around him as he carried her easily.
"A shower it is, milady," he warned, a fiendish smile on his face. "I've all kinds of ways to torture you!"
"You sure?" she wondered, glancing back at his workstation. "I know I interrupted your work—"
"Fie on work!" he growled, pausing at the foot of the stairs to kiss her. "At this rate I'll never get anything done."
Her lips curl into a sexy smile. "That's the plan," she admitted, tightening her arms around his shoulders.
Setting her down two steps above, he leaned forward and kissed the side of her neck, moaning with pleasure as she threw back her head to allow him access. With her at this height he didn't have to bend his head down so far to reach her. She slid her feet down the back of his thighs as he lowered her to the carpeted stairs, stretching over her. Slowly making his way back to her lips, he feasted on the nectar of her kisses and decided he'd gone to heaven yet again.
She lifted his head from her neck with a laugh. "That tickles," she accused as he stared down at her, cherishing her with his gaze and touch. She held his gaze, her breath quickening.
A jolt of electricity shot between them, and he was stunned by the feelings coursing through him. He remembered everything about her all at once in a flash, reliving the moments they'd spent at the water bottle machine when he'd returned from his field op. In her eyes he saw a welcoming warmth that shook him to the core, frightening him with its power. If they were ever separated again, he began to wonder how he'd handle it.
You're getting too attached, hiding out here in this remote place with virtually no one around.
"Daniel, what is it?" she started to say, interrupted by the tones of her cell phone.
He glanced back over his shoulder, pursing his lips before helping her up. "Your phone's ringing."
"Ignore it," she ordered, grabbing his arms and pulling him closer. He kissed her somewhat distractedly, unable to stop his warring thoughts from doing just that. He could picture Amanda on the other end, her eyes firing with anger and suspicion at the delay in answering.
"It might be Division," he said, tugging her to her feet despite her protest. "Remember—you're supposed to be in your apartment this weekend."
She held onto him, her gaze shooting toward the counter where her phone lay, still ringing. "You're right," she sighed in frustration as she steadied herself with a hand on his shoulder before descending and heading toward it.
He watched her go, suddenly concerned. "Did you check it last night?"
"Yeah," she sighed, grabbing it up. Her eyes widened before she looked up at him while the chime of her voice mail sounded. "It's Amanda!"
"That's what I was afraid of," he said grimly, coming to her side to stare accusingly at the phone. "She leave a message?"
"Not on voice mail," she answered, pressing the envelope icon. He stepped closer, touching her back reassuringly as she opened the message.
"She's giving me an overseas assignment!" she wailed, staring up at him. "I have to leave tonight—now what do I do?"
"Dammit!" he hissed, shaking his head. "Just text her back and say your phone was charging…she say where you have to go?"
"No, just to call back immediately," she stated, pulling out the keyboard to answer. "This is terrible—I was supposed to have the next few days off!"
He checked his watch. Already 11:30! "Tell her that you're in the middle of moving something."
"She might suspect—or worse, send someone over to help!"
"Ok wait—relax," he ordered, reaching out to hug her close. "Whatever she wants we'll do it, but stall her as much as you can. I'll see what she's doing."
She nodded, answering back via text message while he strode back toward the computer. Closing her phone, she came toward him, watching as he sat down and quickly brought up the Division screen. And there was Amanda sitting at her desk, her face pinched with irritation and her cold eyes narrowing on a document spread out before her.
"Uh oh—the ice queen looks like she's gonna flash freeze somebody," he drawled.
She laughed, leaning close as she rested a hand on his shoulder. He brought up the other screen for Operations and shook his head. "There's poor Archie, looking frazzled as ever," he sighed. "Operations is really gonna miss me now—us, rather."
She nodded, resting her chin atop his head, her eyes on the screen. "I asked her for the op information and flight details."
"Good plan," he said distractedly, hacking into their travel site.
"Wait a minute," she warned, staring at him suspiciously. "You don't watch me while I'm there, do you?"
He glanced up at her with a grin. "'course I do," he admitted, sliding a hand around her hip to pull her closer. "I've had my eye on you for quite some time…"
"Really," she sighed more than asked, bending to plant a kiss on his cheek. Then she straightened, her saucy smile dazzling him.
"I better get busy," she warned, breaking away to head back toward the stairs. "This will have to be the world's fastest shower!"
"Hey!" he called after her. "What about our date in there?"
"Sorry—have to get a raincheck!" she shouted down, already gaining the upstairs level.
He turned back around, gazing at the monitor as he saw some tall dark dude enter Ice Queen's office. Leaning closer, he squinted at the image. "What's this? Who the hell are you?" he croaked, zooming the image.
"I told you to knock before entering my office, Sean," Amanda snarled, quickly slipping the cell phone into her desk drawer. "That's a primary rule around here, but since this is your first day I'll let it go."
"Really," he smirked, obviously unaffected by her menacing tone or the fact that she rose from her chair and crossed her arms. "I thought the New Division was one big happy family...Mom never made us knock, nor did she ever throw a rule book at us."
Amanda huffed impatiently as she came out from behind her massive white desk. "Your mom could have done better by teaching you to respect your superiors."
He lifted his brows, facing her without a trace of fear. "She's the only reason I'm here at all," he drawled. "I answer to her, first and foremost."
Birkhoff watched Amanda bow her head in frustration, her jaw clenching with anger. He eyed the newbie with growing suspicion. "I repeat—who the hell are you? No, better yet—who the hell is Mom?"
"Oversight respects my authority here," Amanda stated forcefully. "I expect you to do the same."
The Sean guy laughed, turning his back on her. "I answer to Oversight—not you."
Amanda's face gathered into an ominous storm, so much so that Birkhoff swore he could see steam rising from her head. "Whooaaa! Things are just about to get interesting!"
He glanced down at his own cell phone, remembering Nikita's prior voice mail messages. "Maybe I'll give you a call Niki, now that I've got something to tell you."
Amanda tilted her head to study her carefully, wondering what it was she sensed was different. To the uncritical eye Alex appeared cool and collected, her posture perfect, eyes unreadable. Yet there seemed to be something different about her which she couldn't quite place. At least not yet
"I trust you're getting more settled in your new place?" she asked in as pleasant a tone as she could, despite her irritation at having to wait so long for Alex to finally show. "I know this is interrupting your time off, but I think you'll appreciate the opportunity once I have a chance to explain the details."
Alex nodded curtly, finally letting out a tiny sigh. "I still have a lot of work to do, shopping especially. I've never had my own apartment before and I want to make sure everything's perfect."
"Perfection isn't really necessary, is it?" Amanda countered, noticing the wavy curls of her new hair style. "But I can imagine your needing to go out and pick up things," she granted, forcing a smile.
"I keep making lists of things I forgot," she admitted, smiling wanly. "I guess the timing's not the greatest when I'm still not that settled."
"But this is a rather unique opportunity, Alex—one I'm sure you'll look back upon and count worthy."
She shrugged noncommittally. "So what is it, do I get to fly to Paris or London? You mentioned Europe."
Amanda gestured toward the white chair facing her desk. "First why don't you have a seat? You look a little peaked if I'm not mistaken," she added, watching her closely.
Alex's gaze faltered a bit before she glanced away. "Actually I'm getting my period—you know, the whole PMS thing plus cramps."
"Ah, I see," Amanda said, wondering if she should believe her. "You never mentioned having trouble in that regard before."
Alex looked up. "It's not something I like to share," she said, forcing a grin.
"But there are medications to help… I'm sure Medical can prescribe you something."
Alex leaned back, one hand curling toward her stomach. "I've got it under control for now. So tell me—where am I going and why?"
"We've had a break in identifying those involved in the same sex trade ring under which you fell victim," she informed her. "It's strictly an undercover assignment, one in which you'll break into their network and download everything you can, as Birkhoff taught you to do in his classes."
At the mention of Birkhoff Alex seemed to stiffen, but she nodded. "Ok…that should be easy, since it's pretty familiar territory for me."
"Which is why you were selected, though you certainly deserve your time off," Amanda stated. "But unfortunately this can't wait, as you're well aware. There is a group of girls being held for deportation, which you will join and travel with. Once you reach St. Petersburg you'll be directed to their main offices there—we have someone in place in Immigration who will need a photo of you in order to make the contact. Come back and I'll take one, once you're ready to go."
Alex nodded. "Ok—what time do I hit the holding cell?"
"Burrows will meet you at carpool at 5—he'll drive you downtown and help you sneak in," she stated. "He'll be masquerading as an Immigrations agent and will get you in. The group leaves for the airport around 6, so make sure you have a quick dinner here before you leave."
"I will," Alex sighed, getting up. "Actually I think I will go to Medical and get something, but not a prescription. I don't do any kind of drugs anymore, not if I can help it."
"A wise decision," Amanda smiled, nodding as her phone rang. "I'll see you for that photo," she added, effectively dismissing her.
Alex left without further comment, and Amanda felt a twinge of irritation at not having placed what that small change in her had been. But in due time, she told herself as she listened to the secretary's voice on the other end of the call and switched lanes. Operations was calling her, and she only hoped it wasn't about Nikita.
c. 2012 by Christine Levitt
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