Set at the end of 2x19
Alex was on her way back to the safe house from the cemetery deep in her thoughts. So much had happened in the last 24 hours. Sean had suffered a tremendous loss and instead of taking the time to grieve, he was swooped up by the need for revenge. She couldn't blame him. Alex knew that feeling all too well. Every time she looked at him she felt the pain in his eyes. Nobody should lose a parent like that. Revenge never made things better and Alex was worried about how fast things progressed from him losing his mother to killing the person responsible. There was no time for Sean to process anything.
Alex felt some relief when he let her accompany him to his mother's grave for a proper goodbye. He needed someone to talk to or for the time being at least someone to be by his side for support. After that Sean decided to go and be with his sisters unless he was needed. Alex reassured him he didn't have anything to worry about and that he could call her if he needed to talk.
So she was on her way back to make sure that the other important person in her life was okay. When they brought Nikita back Birkhoff and Michael were all over her. Even though Michael was injured as well he refused any help and they both tried to take care of Nikita as best as possible. She was in good hands so that allowed Alex to focus on Sean then.
When she left with Sean a doctor had just arrived. Nikita, Michael and Birkhoff had someone they trusted just in case. The team knew how to treat bullet wounds, knife wounds and injuries from fights. Prolonged torture with electric shock was something they knew little about but it was enough to know that it was worth calling a professional. Birkhoff had texted her later that the check-up had gone well so that was some good news.
When she got to the house it was eerily quiet and dark. No lights were on and if the hackers' screen wasn't so bright on his face she wouldn't have seen him at all.
"Hey, I didn't think you'd be back" Birkhoff thought Alex was going to return to her apartment after that stressful and emotional day. They were all shaken up and needed a break.
"Yeah, no way. I need to be close" She didn't need to say more. Birkhoff understood what she meant. "How is he?"
Alex sighed. She didn't know what to say. It was difficult trying to describe something like that even when she had gone through something similar. "I told him to take as much time as he needed. He is with his sisters now so…" She trailed off and caught herself going through everything over and over. She had to stop and focus on one thing at a time. "Where are Michael and Nikita? What did the doctor say?"
"Mikey got her to bed. She was constantly losing consciousness but the doctor needed her awake so after that, he took her to bed so she could get some sleep. Thankfully Nikki got lucky and there is no permanent damage to her body. If you guys had got there any later though…" It was a horrible thought to linger on right now but both of them couldn't help it. Alex tried to pull through and remind herself that that didn't happen. Her best friend was in the other room and was being taken care of.
"She's okay" She patted Birkhoff's shoulder and stayed with him for a little bit while they drew support and comfort from one another. Ryan was also on his way over to check on all of them. He wasn't happy about his lack of involvement but he understood. However, he had to be there now.
After a while, Alex headed for the bedroom to see Nikita with her own eyes to ease her worries. She knocked softly on the door to not wake her up and possibly Michael as well. When no one answered she hesitated but her wish to see Nikita won over and she creaked the door open. That got Michael's attention who was in fact awake and he motioned to her to come in.
He was propped up against the pillows with a tablet in one hand while the other was intertwined with Nikita's, the back of her hand closely pressed to his chest. Alex looked at Nikita then. She was lying on her back surrounded by blankets to keep her warm. She still looked so pale and fragile. It broke Alex's heart. She had never seen Nikita like that and it truly spoke of how bad it was.
"Come in. It's okay. She's fast asleep" Michael spoke softly and encouraged Alex to come in again. As quietly as possible she closed the door behind her and walked over to the bed. Nikita was laying in the middle of the mattress with Michael layin close to her side. Alex laid down next to her, propping herself up on a pillow as well and just stared at Nikita.
Michael saw all the worry on her face and didn't wait for her to say or ask him something "She has a weird fever we have to monitor. She goes from shivering to sweating in minutes. The doctor said it will probably be like that for the next two days. We got things we could give her to help. No serious damage was done. Thank God." As he was relaying the information he could feel himself getting emotional again. He was so close to losing her. Even the slightest mention of it was enough to break him. He tightened his grip on her hand and kissed it, drawing comfort from having her in his arms.
"It's going to be okay. She's strong and will get through this" Alex didn't know if she was saying that to herself more or to him. Either way, they had to believe it. Nikita was there with them. Maybe more hurt than they imagined but the team got her back and they were going to be by her side always.
Alex peeled her eyes off Nikita and focused on the tablet in Michael's hand. He saw her looking "The doctor mentioned a few things we should be aware of so I'm reading up on that. No way I could sleep"
Alex smiled softly. That was such a Michael thing to do. It was in moments like that one that she took note to appreciate Michael as Nikita's love. Even when a couple of months ago they were somewhat on opposite sides, in the back of her mind she always cared about Nikita. And deep down she was glad Nikita had him because if Michael was by her side she was always going to be okay.
"How are you and please tell me you got a check-up as well" Michael had also spent time in that basement and she could tell he had taken a few punches but he could have sustained other injuries as well. Knowing him though he would have only focused on Nikita and made sure she was taken care of.
"Yes, she made sure of that. I swear I have never met a more stubborn person in my life" They both had a laugh about that and Michael told Alex about what she had missed. "We laid her on the couch. The doctor that came instantly went to her and Nikita just got up somehow and refused to get checked until I was cleared first in front of her" Michael could add some humour to it now but when it happened he was so worried that she might pass out in front of him. He also couldn't stand the focus being on him when she was the one that needed medical attention.
"I don't think that's even the stubbornness." It had to do with it but that was also something Nikita just did. She put herself before others. She could have been bleeding out but she would make sure those she loved were okay first before taking care of herself.
"Yeah and I hate that" Michael barely whispered. Alex guessed the thought just came out loud but she wasn't going to pretend she didn't hear it.
"That's just who she is. I have-"
"No, it's not." Michael was quick to stop Alex from continuing. "Or at least not all of it. Some of it comes from her heart but sometimes it just comes from her deeming herself as unworthy and…and I hate that so much" Michael choked up on the last words there. All the emotions that had built up were just begging to release. He was never vulnerable like that in front of someone other than Nikita. However, seeing her so broken down in that basement scared him and broke his heart. They might have physically saved her but he had to fight now for saving her mentally as well.
Alex was taken aback. She had never seen Michael like that. Something must have happened. Something she didn't know about. He was right in a sense but Alex didn't think it was that bad. Yes, Nikita was too selfless for her own good at times and she had her struggles but Alex had no idea that they could be deeply rooted in something else. "What happened down there?" She didn't know if Michael would share but she had to try.
"Only she knows" It was kind of the truth. Michael couldn't share what Nikita told him. It was a very vulnerable moment between the two of them. Also, Michael only could guess what had triggered it. When Brant captured him Nikita had already been tortured for several hours. He didn't know what went on before he got there other than the electric shocks. Returning to his conversation with Percy he remembered that he said that Brant wanted to get to Nikita but couldn't. He wanted to break her down.
"Hey" Alex reached and patted his shoulder. She could tell he was getting into a dark hole. She wouldn't ask him anymore. It was too soon to talk about it yet.
Michael appreciated it and shifted his focus on her "What happened with you and Sean?" He knew they had left together somewhere. They weren't needed so nobody stopped or blamed them.
Alex told him about the cemetery and pretty much just repeated what she had said to Birkhoff. Michael wanted to know a bit more though "Okay you asked me how I am so It's only fair I ask you"
"We having slumber party?" Nikita stirred and mumbled. Michael and Alex were brought out of their dark thoughts and laughed. Nikita opened her eyes only for a second. She just fixed her blanket, snuggled into Michael and dozed right off again.
Alex beamed at Nikita "As longs as they are safe and sound I'll be okay" That was a simple answer but it was the most real one. As long as she had the people she loved around her it was all going to be okay.
Michael nodded and easy comforting silence fell over them. Eventually, they fell asleep snuggling Nikita, thankful they were all safe now.
Thank you for reading! I have started writing a new Nikita story and the first chapter is out so most of the updates will be on there. It's called The Hoax I Once Believed In and you can find it on my profile.