"Okay, so, a friend of the family saved you from the fire, but you were sold to traffickers. You eventually escaped, getting clean from the junk they hooked you on in the process," Nikita and Alex had been pouring over the 'Alexandra Udinov' mission for hours. Zetrov was holding a press conference in New York City in a couple of days- Semak himself would be there. It presented the perfect time for Alex to come back from the dead and start actively working on her revenge. And, of course, start saving her mother. Out of everything, rescuing Katya was the most important thing.
The young woman just had to perfect her cover story. Nikita had advised that the best lie held the most truth. She'd stick to what had actually happened to her, only omitting her job with Senator Pierce and her current crusade. Even with her inexperience, Alex could successfully handle journalists with that. She just felt uncomfortable sharing so much about herself with the world. Going over it again and again helped somewhat. But it was going to take a lot of courage to get through the first phase of their plan, "And when I heard there was a Zetrov press conference in the states, I knew it was time to come home."
"Do you plan on taking over your father's business?" Assuming the type of questions to arise once Alex made her reappearance, Nikita asked. Surviving the press conference and the journalists was only the beginning. There was still Semak and Ari and the vile organizations they ran in tandem to worry about. But Michael was convinced that if she got the press on her side, she'd be safe from any attempt on her life. Who would want to kill the beloved lost princess. She would be sensational news, keeping her safely in the public eye. And hopefully, it would bring to Katya's attention how much her daughter was willing to fight.
"No. I just want to be with my family again," Alex's answer wasn't omitting anything that time. The press might believe she meant her 'Uncle Sergei'. Yet Semak would understand the weight of her words. She didn't care about Zetrov. She didn't care about a business or any money that was rightfully hers. All that mattered to her was ensuring her mother's safety and avenging her father. Division, and the man who had hired them to kill her family, were going to be set aflame by her wrath.
Alex and Nikita volleyed questions and answers for another hour or so. The two still needed to go over how they were going to communicate and some security protocols to initiate. But they could take the time to assure the young woman's anxiety. There was no such thing as overpreparing for an op. They could revisit the cover story as many times as Alex wanted. However, Nikita started to notice that she was getting tired. She probably needed a break. So, the rogue shook up the questioning a bit, "What about Sean? What do you plan with him?"
"Well, I would love to have that pizza date we keep having to cancel," Alex went along with the change up instantly. She accepted the distraction, ready to not think about Alexandra Udinov for a while. It was easy to get overwhelmed with everything she had to do. Talking about Sean was a way better option as a result. Well, if she was being honest with herself, her best friend was always something comforting. She so desperately wanted to go on that date with him. But it never seemed like the right time to express her feelings. The crusade they found themselves swept up in really put a damper on things.
"What's stopping you now?" Not taking any excuses, Nikita wondered. Alex only rolled her eyes and pointed to what was happening around them. Michael and Ryan were cleaning and inventorying their many weapons. Sean's dismantled and then bug-free cellphone was scattered across the computer desks. Birkhoff had left it there as he and the Seal went out to gather parts for better security at the beach house. And the two women were planning an incredibly risky move against their enemies. How could Alex and Sean go on a date with all that mess. Nikita didn't see it as a problem, though, "Michael and I manage to have date nights."
"You're also living together. And you only have one job," Alex negated. When she and Sean weren't busy training and scheming at the safehouse, they were at work. Her assistant duties had increased since the assassination attempt on Senator Peirce. And the Seal was busy with the Navy after the publicity that shone on his involvement in rescuing the survivor of the Gates House attack. Although the two had some moments alone, it was mostly spent catching each other up on the secrets that were held. Talking with her best friend was great- they knew one another so well. But when were they finally going to act.
"Fair. But we did have dates while I was a double agent inside Division, and he was my contact in the CIA. You can make anything work if you try hard enough," Smiling softly, Nikita gave her opinion on the subject. Alex's and Sean's budding relationship hadn't escaped her notice. She attempted to give the two space to work it out on their own, but it was about time she stepped in. If it was her and Michael dancing around each other like that, she'd want someone to push them together. Alex didn't say anything in response. She mulled over the advice, lost in thought. Chuckling to herself, Nikita left her alone. She could go bother someone else.
Like Michael, for example. Nikita nudged her fiancé, disturbing the rhythm he found himself in while cleaning. When he realized it was her that was trying to annoy him, however, he just smiled. The couple worked together, silently teasing one another and intentionally messing up whatever they were doing. Slipping into light, silly moments like that was easy for the two. Neither had to say a word; they knew what the other needed, and how they could help. Goofing around was certainly something they both needed then. It was a great thing they had one another to make them laugh.
Ryan, on the other hand, rolled his eyes. He could joke around at times, but he had been entirely too serious lately. He and Nikita still had to have their conversation. Their friendship seemed to always fall into that rut, where they made discussions for each other and they didn't want to deal with the consequences. The two couldn't keep moving forwards like that; tough discussions had to occur. Nikita was great about advising her team about that, but she was terrible at following it. Unfortunately, Ryan couldn't bring the topic up at the moment. A chime from Birkhoff's computer distracted him. It was a strange message. He couldn't make sense of it, "Hey, Nikita. Birkhoff says you're on the news."
Everyone dropped what they were doing to rush towards a TV. There was no way it could've been Gates House or Clean Sweep related; Sean had covered for the team there. Something else must've happened. Sure enough, Percy's vile voice came through the speakers. Apparently, he had anonymously called in as a witness to a murder. Seriously- he wasn't a witness. He had killed that cop, and spraypainted Nikita's name on the side of his squad car. Why he did, though, nobody had a clue.
Nikita's mind began to race. What the hell was Percy's game in bringing up her terrible past. Why must he make the world see her as the dead junkie that she really was. Her team would argue against that; she was so much more than a former drug addict and runaway. But she couldn't stop the thoughts from drowning her. Percy just couldn't get out of her head. He had to dig his claws deep in her, and never let go. She was nothing but what others had made her- a junkie, an assassin, a killer in every aspect. She couldn't be saved, or redeemed. His bragging phone call proved as much. He was going to ruin her whole world. But she couldn't let that happen. If not for herself, then for her team- her friends. They deserved so much better than her. Especially the woman who shouldn't have been dragged into that hell, "Leave Carla out of this."
Percy hung up the phone, nonetheless. He was going to take from her, like she had him. Her team might've been safe, but they weren't everyone she loved. Carla was too innocent to be tormented by Nikita's mistakes. She couldn't let her suffer. After explaining to a worried Michael, Ryan, and Alex, they agreed they had to do something. Stop Percy and save the day, they were doing that already. They just also had to focus on Zetrov and Gogol. Michael suggested they split the team again. A two front assault might've been their best bet, "Birkhoff can help us track down Carla. And Ryan and Sean can help Alex prep."
"Let's just hope it's not too late," Nikita blurted anxiously. It shouldn't have gotten so bad so fast. Things were looking up for the team; they had success, and plans, and goals. They should've been taking steps forward instead of being dragged backwards. Michael, Alex, and Ryan didn't believe that, however. Despite being apprehensive and pissed off as well, they didn't see it as a loss. Not if they could still fight.