Fortunately, what Liza told Nikita before she escaped was helpful. It wasn't the exact information, but she said enough that Division managed to find Wade's target. He was still obsessed with the fact that his recruit had failed the kill mission. So, he was using his new kidnapped recruit to finally finish the job. Michael, Nikita, Sean, Alex, and Alpha team were instantly ready to stop him. They'd save the unsuspecting victim, take out Wade, and bring Liza home. Though, the latter might not be possible. It should've been, yet Ryan had the preteen listed with Wade as a threat. Nikita couldn't believe it, "Why is a teenage girl in the target package?"
"She injured a guard. She threatened you," Ryan instantly began to list off his reasons. It wasn't an easy decision for him to make. Liza was a child. They shouldn't be treating her like a threat. Yet Division didn't have the luxury of believing everything was normal and idealistic. The world they operated in didn't work like that. Liza was ruthlessly trained just like their agents. Although she was too young to be considered such, she was dangerous. That wasn't a fact they could choose to ignore. That was how people got hurt.
"Take her off, Ryan," Nikita didn't care about his reasoning, however. Liza wasn't a threat. She was just as much of a victim as the target was. She was only acting out of fear and the threat of harm against her family. She shouldn't be punished for that. She should be saved; she should be able to go home. Wasn't that what New Division was supposed to have become. It was all of their chances to go home and be free. Yet that couldn't happen if they were leaving others in need just because they seemed like a threat. How were they better than their predecessors.
Ryan shook his head at Nikita's command. He understood her rage. He didn't like what he was doing either. However, he couldn't ignore the fact that Liza was a skilled fighter and trained to be a killer just because she was a kid. Of course he didn't want the preteen hurt, but they had to treat her as dangerous as they brought her in. Too much noise and destruction marred their first operation. Any more trouble, and they'd all suffer. Ryan couldn't let Division agents die as they were fighting for their freedom. He had to ensure everyone stayed safe. If that meant he had to make awful decisions, then so be it, "If it protects you in the field…"
Before Ryan could even finish his explanation, Nikita left Ops. Nothing he could've said would've made his decision okay. The only safety that mattered was Liza's. It was ridiculous that Nikita had to defy orders to make that happen. At least Alex agreed with her; she was right on her heels as she stormed out. The young woman was well aware that if she was never dragged out of that crackhouse, she'd have ended up in a place like Division or- worse- another brothel. Men in power always preyed on innocent and lost girls. The girls shouldn't be punished for what they were forced to do. Those who stole them and abused them should pay for their sins.
Michael and Sean gave Ryan a harsh judgmental glance when they eventually followed the women out. They understood and agreed with his need for safety, but not at a young girl's expense. There were better ways to handle the situation. Unfortunately, then wasn't the time to explore them. The bomb Wade had stolen needed to be detonated soon. The kill mission was about to start, and the target and Liza had to be saved. No time was wasted as they hurried to the scene. In fact, Michael already had ideas on how to proceed, "Look for a van or anything that allows Wade to watch the scene. Chances are he's here with his recruit."
"Let's try the buildings. Alex, the streets. Nik…" Sean attempted to divide up their search parameters, but Nikita was already gone. She slipped into the building Wade's target was making his presentation in, searching for Liza. The other agents knew better than to stop her. She was more determined to help the girl than kill their Dirty Thirty. That was fine with her team. They didn't have to split their attention on two different fronts. They also knew Nikita had enough drive and skill to save Liza. The rest of them could handle Wade just fine. After all, they were excited to make the son of a bitch pay for what he had done.
Nikita attempted to get her emotions in check as she raced after Liza. She was so livid, upset, scared, and anxious that if she didn't get herself under control, then there would be no chance of her saving Liza. Wade and the bomb were their own separate problems. She couldn't allow herself to be distracted by those at the moment. Besides, her team had that covered. She just had to focus on getting Liza home. It was time for her to be safe and sound again. Luckily, she wasn't too difficult to locate, "Found her. Evac the building but leave the basement alone."
"Got Wade," Michael echoed through the com. He found the son of a bitch watching the conference center from a building across the street. He had a radio to contact Liza, and a rifle at the ready. Michael was ready to storm in and kill Wade immediately. But he knew he had to wait. Liza needed to be out of harm's way first. If something went wrong with the Dirty Thirty, she shouldn't be caught in the crosshairs. Sean was also hastily moving to meet him. He'd have backup soon. Wade wouldn't stand a chance against the two of them.
Alex, on the other hand, moved to Nikita's location. The two Navy men didn't need her help. Yet with Alpha team clearing the conference center, Nikita needed support in evacuating with Liza. Alex would make certain they stayed protected. She'd also make certain to comfort the preteen after the horrific affair. The young woman's time with Liza's family didn't just help the team gain intel, Alex also learned ways to calm the girl. Returning home after so much hell wasn't easy. But the heiress had done it before. And she knew how to help Liza do so then.
Slowly, Nikita inched towards the armed preteen. She had quickly followed her steps to the basement of the building, knowing they didn't have much time. However, she approached Liza softly once she found her. She didn't want to frighten the girl any more than she already was. She had to know that it was all okay. The bomb she had planted with the intent to kill hadn't changed anything. Nikita's promise still held, "Liza, sweety, it's okay. You can put down the detonator and just walk away."
"No. No. He'll kill us," Tears filled Liza's eyes. Her body trembled, and her fingers slipped on and off the detonator button. She had to set off the bomb. She had to do it soon or Wade would kill her family. He had made that threat enough times that she knew better than to doubt it. Except, she couldn't pull the trigger. Her finger would stop working just as she was about to. Liza glanced at an approaching Nikita for help. She had never needed anyone as much as she did at that moment. The agent had to make it all better.
"Wade can't hurt you anymore. Remember those friends I told you about? They handled Wade. And they protected your family," Raising placating hands, Nikita continued to slowly near Liza. Wade was still in the process of being handled. Michael, Birkhoff, and Sean were fighting their way past a robotic rifle. But the girl's family was undoubtedly safe. Alex had assured it. She also picked something up on her last visit- a necklace that matched the one Liza had hid for two years. It should help prove that she didn't have to be afraid anymore. Nikita had her, "See. Everyone's safe. It's okay. You can go home. I promise."
Despite Wade's lingering threat, Liza ripped the com out of her ear and disarmed the detonator. Nikita took both away from her and wrapped her in her protective arms. The preteen squeezed her tightly. Over the sounds through her com of Michael and Sean killing Wade, Nikita held Liza. She didn't let go until Alex came to lead them out of the building. She helped trash the detonator and inform Alpha team where to find the bomb. Then, she told Liza about her parents and how excited they are to see her. The preteen stopped crying at the hope presented to her, yet she never strayed far from Nikita. The agent held her hand securely in hers.
The three returned to Division with Michael, Sean, and Alpha team in tow. Nikita and Alex ignored Ryan once they stepped into the bunker. They continued to be too upset with him to talk. So, they put all their focus on Liza. She needed them more than Ryan did anyway. The women helped her clean up, get her new clothes, and calm down. They also prepared a story she could tell her parents. Being kidnapped to be trained as an assassin wasn't something she could go around admitting. Liza agreed. It was better to lie to her parents. Especially since once that was all settled, she was able to leave Division behind her, "You ready to go home?"
"It feels so weird," Studying the outside of her house, Liza admitted. She couldn't wait to jump back into her parents' arms and start being normal again. She missed her family, her friends, her life- hell, even her school. However, a part of her felt as though she couldn't return. The past two years had changed her. It messed with her in ways she didn't want to think about. How could she go back to being a normal kid with that on her mind. She could talk about it; though, she swore to keep Division secret. Maybe she could accept that she had changed, but she could still be herself and live her life. But, was that even possible.
"It's different, all that change," Alex sighed. There were still moments where the fact that she was Alexandra Udinov again snuck up on her. She could see her mother whenever she wanted. She could run around the world, free and safe and happy. She wasn't an abused junky on the streets anymore; she was a capable young woman surrounded by family. The thought took some time to get used to. But it was still the most amazing thought she had ever had. Alex had to share that joy with Liza, "But, it'll also be the best thing in the whole world."
Liza practically bounced in her seat. She was ready to go. Nikita and Alex couldn't help but chuckle lightly. However, as Alex moved to leave the car, Nikita stayed behind. She didn't need to bring Liza to her parents. That wasn't her victory. After all, she already brought one girl back home. Nikita had saved the last girl, taken care of her, and helped her live a better life. She became an amazing young woman, who actually chose to stay behind and help others. It was someone else's turn to be the hero, "Go. I got the last girl."
Flashing her friend a grateful smile, Alex led Liza home. The girl's parents immediately rushed to her. They hugged Liza fiercely, tears in their eyes. Alex and Nikita shared teary smiles as well. Soon, though, the young woman posing as an FBI agent had her attention stolen by grateful parents. Nikita took the chance to place her hand on her lower abdomen. She couldn't feel her baby, yet she knew it was there. She was going to have her own child soon. She was going to be a mom. The image brought a smile to her lips that time. She wasn't apprehensive, but excited. So much so that she missed Alex getting back into the car, "It's more real now, huh?"
"Just thinking that I want a boy," Smirking and dropping her hand, Nikita quipped. That wasn't necessarily true. She hadn't thought too much about the potential sex of her baby. With everything else going on, it hadn't even crossed her mind. She ultimately didn't care whether she had a boy or a girl, though. As long as her baby was safe, sound, had a chance at a normal life, and far away from Division, then she didn't care about anything else. Alex didn't have to know that, though. Nikita would much rather tease her than have a real conversation.
"First of all, you and Michael are girl parents through and through. Second, I told you you'd be amazing," Alex nudged her lightly. Nikita was too confused by the comment about her and her husband being 'girl parents' to retaliate. What did that mean. Was it also a joke about their recent hellish mission. That was what Nikita's quip was about- girls brought anxiety, while boys seemed simpler (which so wasn't true). Maybe Alex was playing on that as well. Nikita and Michael had done great with Liza. He knew to look for a piece of herself she had hidden, and she helped her fight Wade. That was amazing, and made sense for Alex to comment on.
"Whatever. The guys are waiting for us," Shaking her head, Nikita drove them back towards the city. It was simpler to focus on returning to their team than decode Alex's joke. Besides, she had other thoughts to work out- mostly concerning her pregnancy and how she was going to discuss them all with Michael. Eventually, though, Alex made her refocus on her by grabbing her hand and muttering a 'thanks'. Nikita squeezed back, then fired off a joke. Laughter filled the car. The women traveled back to their team, letting the joy of saving the day- of helping a girl have a better chance than they ever had- carry them.