A/N: Hello! Hope everyone is well. I'm not even sure if anyone is still reading in this fandom but I thought I'd share anyways. My return to this ship was inspired by a quarantine re-watch and I found myself right back into wanting to write. There will be a few more stand alone (one-shots) I'm hoping to post once I get around to writing them. This one though is set right at 2x12 when Michael returns back from London. I would have liked to see more emotions from the both of them instead of that awkward stuff we got before Sean interrupted. Also not all of them will be as emo. LOL. Hope you guys enjoy it.
He had the whole flight to think about their reunion but as he approached the beach house, all thoughts and plans seemed to have escaped him. He was a nervous wreck.
He hadn't seen her in almost three months since she walked away from him in London. Their brief encounter a couple weeks back left him with this dull ache that not even his son's adorable smile and chatter could subside. After days of stewing over Owen's words back in Amsterdam and figuring out different angles of his new life as a father, something was still amiss. No matter how many different ways he spanned that scenario, he came up emptier than before because a huge part of him was missing. It didn't take a genius to figure out why he felt so stuck, so sad and so hollow. After a lengthy conversation with Cassandra, he decided he needed to come back to where his heart so longed to be.
Home. With her.
He sent her a quick text letting her know he was outside the safehouse perimeters so as to not spook their brainy and extremely paranoid techy. He made sure to stomp his feet on the welcome mat outside to get rid of the sand under his boots. He knew he would never hear the end of it from Birkhoff if he trekked sand inside the house.
As soon as he entered the house, Michael could feel his whole body start to vibrate with renewed energy. It's like his heart knew she was nearby and was elated because its rhythm increased to an upbeat tempo and his green eyes were instantly searching for her. He was home.
Even as he hugged Birkhoff and Alex, his arms were longing for her. But he forced himself to remain composed a minute longer as he caught up with Birkhoff. Michael was so glad to see his friend getting back in shape. Somehow, he had a new appreciation and respect for the tech. Not only because he was the one looking out for his beloved and feeding him updates on her doings from time to time in his absence. But also for the sacrifice he was willing to make and for enduring the torture he did to keep her safe. He was overwhelmed with gratitude. And he showed that by hugging Birkhoff a little extra longer.
As he moved on to Alex, he failed to contain his surprise. Evidently a lot has happened in his absence. His former recruit was the last person he was expecting to see here but he was glad to see her nonetheless. He figured, better to have her back on their side in this war. He also knew how much Alex meant to Nikita and her presence here meant a bit of happiness for her, which she so deserved. He couldn't wait to hear about the events that inspired their protégée's return.
His presence felt surreal to Nikita. From the moment she spotted him at the top of the stairs, her knees buckled from beneath her and she had to secure a tight grip on the railing to keep herself from folding into a mess.
She took in everything about his appearance. He looked exhausted. Which she guessed should be expected from being around an active five year old. His hair was a lot longer than she remembered and he looked like he hadn't slept or shaved in days. But he was still easily the most beautiful man she's ever known and every fiber of her being was screaming for him.
As sweet as it was to witness him greet Birkhoff and Alex, a small part of her wept of jealousy. She wished he'd skipped them altogether and taken the stairs by two to fling himself into her arms. She wished to be held by him and reassured that he'd never leave again. But the longer she stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting, the more anguish and anxiety began to set in. She didn't know how long he'd be here for or what decisions he came to. She didn't know if she could handle him moving on without her. The thought of it made her feel physically ill and all too suddenly, her palms felt clammy and she was fighting with herself internally to not retreat into a protective shell and shut him out. She crossed her arms over her chest and took a couple long breaths.
An echoed thud brought her back from her depressing trance. She must've spaced out because the next time she looked up, Alex and Birkhoff were gone. It was just them, standing a few feet apart and what felt like a dark cloud looming over their head. She looked up at him only to find that he was already staring at her and Nikita found herself breathless for an entirely different reason. He knew.
"Hi…" Her voice cracked with fresh emotions.
One good look at her and Michael found himself choking back tears. She could fool a lot of people but never him and right now, she looked overrun. So small and so tired. Like someone who's been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders by herself for a really long time. And she wouldn't ask for help. Nay. His girl was too strong, stubborn and dare he say, righteous. Which made this all the more heartbreaking, and all he wanted to do was, tell her to let go and watch her melt in his arms.
She was the first to speak and her voice absolutely broke him.
In two rushed steps, he was in front of her, holding her beautiful face in his hands. Her hazel eyes were swimming with emotions, all of them uncertain and he felt himself being washed with a new wave of guilt. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing out loud so instead, he let their eyes and heart do all the talking.
Hers screaming: "You left me all alone."
And him pleading; "I know. I'm so, so, so sorry."
"I was dying without you. And you weren't here!"
His next movement was both surprising and smooth. He swiftly picked her up with slightly bended knee and closed his eyes with relief for a brief second when her long legs wrapped around his hips and her hand came up to brush his cheek. Her face was so close that he could feel her warm breath hitting the tip of his nose.
He threaded a hand into her hair, gently pushing back her brown locks away from her face before he leaned up and ever so softly placed his lips against hers. He offered no urgency for more, instead waiting for her to reciprocate and guide or reject and slap him. He owed her as much. But she returned neither. Not at first. Instead, a soft mewl left her throat as her whole body trembled in his arm and Michael felt his heart shatter in his chest.
"Baby…" It was the smallest whisper against her mouth. Barely audible but it was laden with so much more unspoken words and most definitely a plea.
Fresh tears escaped her eyes and rolled onto his cheek as she deepened the kiss. All that rage, sadness and hurt she felt in his absence washed away with her tears and she allowed herself a moment of healing by accepting his wordless plea of forgiveness.
They were usually explosive in their actions. Whether they fought or made love, that explosive energy always took over because they were both such passionate people. But there was a tenderness to this kiss that Nikita craved and was long overdue for. He was reassuring her little by little in the way he continued to hold her - so tightly as if afraid she might slip. And kissing her so thoroughly that her head spun and her heart rejoiced. He was making amends in the sweetest of ways and she was letting him while wishing this moment never had to end.
Their moans harmonized and floated in the air, chasing away that little dark cloud from earlier. When they pulled away breathless with joy, Michael wiped the tears stains from her cheeks. He pressed his forehead against hers and kissed her nose. She offered the faintest smile.
"We should talk." She reasoned.
It would be so easy to get swept up into pleasure with him. Heaven knows she's missed being with him that way. But she also needed answers. Resolutions that would leave neither of them broken or resentful of each other. Closure to this nightmare-ish chapter of their relationship.
Michael nodded. He agreed with that statement fully. And they would. He was so anxious before he got here. Not sure what he would say but right now, with her in his arms, everything was so clear. With their line of work and the life they lead, there's no two ways about the decisions he'll have to make. And as hard as he knew it was going to be, he also knew leaving her was never going to be an option again.
"I know and we will." He answered. "But I- I just need to hold you for a little while longer. Is that okay?"
New hope flourished inside Michael when she gave him that breathtaking smile she reserved only for him and then invited him into another kiss.
The road to resolution would be a lot longer than either of them anticipated and with a few surprises along the way as well. Eventually though, he does choose her. And he will, over and over because he never wanted to feel that dull aching in his chest ever again.