"Nikita, Michael needs your help."
Birkhoff didn't hesitate to call Nikita. As soon as she answered, he ensured there wasn't even a trace of humor or sarcasm in his voice. It wasn't the time for jokes and antics. Michael was bound to get himself killed if someone didn't rush out to help him. Birkhoff wasn't equipped for that job. As great as he was at hacking, he couldn't provide the support Michael needed. Nikita had to help him. She might be the only one who could save him from killing himself.
Normally, Birkhoff would've been overreacting if he believed Michael's mission would lead to his death. Yet that wasn't a normal mission. The instant Nikita heard about it, she believed the same; the hacker was right to call her. Ever since Michael told Birkhoff about Hayley and Elizabeth, Shadownet had been running a search on Kasim and his known associates. It finally got a hit on his accountant. He was going to meet with Kasim to go over the numbers and his money. Before doing so, he'd be open to sharing information at his hotel. That was their chance at Kasim. Of course Michael had to take it. And of course Nikita would help.
She wasn't going to stop him. Michael deserved his justice and revenge just like the rest of them. He had to kill Kasim. But he couldn't do it alone. It wasn't fair for Nikita to say Michael was too emotional and unfocused for the mission, and that was why he needed help. There were plenty of times when she had rushed into the field far too emotionally compromised to be good. It was dangerous and deadly. Someone had to be there to put her head on straight. Yet Michael had always found a way to keep himself composed. He just needed a partner- someone to make the work easier so he wouldn't die.
As soon as Birkhoff gave Nikita Michael's location, she rushed off to meet him. She only brought what she thought would be necessary (weapons, coms, and a change of clothes). She didn't have time to waste. He needed her immediately. Nikita thought Michael would try to deny that he did, however. She believed the second she broke into his hotel room, he'd shove her right out. Instead, he welcomed her with open arms. It had her so taken aback that she nearly missed what he had asked her; he needed her help.
That so wasn't what she had thought would happen when she raided his mission. Michael should've been a lot more stubborn. But he probably realized the usefulness of Nikita. That had helped one another countless times before. Killing Kasim wouldn't be any different. The two just had to find a way to get to his elusive ass.
Michael's idea was to grab the accountant, release him, then follow as he ran to Kasim. Nikita liked the idea, but there were too many unknown variables. It would've been better if they searched his hotel room for any clues. She could distract the accountant at the bar, while Michael looked around. As long as the two stayed in contact, he was completely fine with the idea. It seemed far safer than his, after all. And, he could discover more than just Kasim's location. Intel on his finances and terrorist dealings could be helpful as well.
Although Nikita always hated playing the honey trap and flirtatious distraction, she'd suck it up for Michael. She could hide her disgust for the accountant, pretend to take the shots of vodka he was feeding her (she really shouldn't have been around alcohol), and fake that she was actually interested in the vile man. At least until Michael had what he needed. Then, Nikita hastily gave the accountant a flirty excuse and rushed back to her partner.
They were silent as they sorted through the intel Michael had collected. Whereas he was simply too focused for conversation, Nikita didn't know what to say. She wasn't sure how to comfort him, how to settle his racing mind. She could see by his tight shoulders how stressed and anxious he was. He wouldn't allow himself to relax, but he desperately needed to. She had no clue how to make him. When it came to Hayley, Elizabeth, and Kasim, Nikita never knew what she could say to make it all better. The best she could do was be by Michael's side and do what he needed. Was that help or hindrance, however.
Nikita didn't allow herself time to figure it out. She had to focus on Kasim. Michael was able to discover where the meet was taking place. Kasim, his accountant, and their other terrorist associates would be there. As would all their guards. At least four of those armed men would be surrounding Kasim at all times. They were a heavily protected bunch. Killing the terrorists took a lot of thought and skill. Nikita sighed as she realized they were already down one option, "So a close quarters kill will be…"
"Suicide," Michael finished the thought for Nikita, turning to look at her. When he did, they suddenly became aware of how close they were standing. They must've drifted together while they planned. There were times when that occurred at the safehouse. But there had always been Birkhoff around to keep them focused. The two didn't have a buffer then. Nothing and no one was stopping brown and green eyes from gazing into one another, nor was there anything to stop their lungs from breathing the same air. Nikita and Michael practically stood nose to nose. One little push forward and they could kiss.
Clearing his throat, Michael turned from Nikita. He shouldn't have thought that. Not then, not there. He had to focus on getting revenge for his late wife and daughter. Nikita was only his partner. She was just there as support and to bounce ideas off of. He shouldn't be absorbed in her warm presence. The mission was too important, "That's why we go long."
"Do you have the hardware?" Nikita silently urged for Michael to move away from her and show her the weapon he had to have brought with him. It was messed up that she thought about kissing him while he was working so hard to avenge Hayley and Elizabeth. He shouldn't be around someone as selfish as that. Thankfully, Michael was back to talking logistics with her. He told her all about the sniper rifle he had and answered her questions. They could move past the awkward moment and pour all of their attention into killing Kasim. Though, Nikita was sure she had to be the one who took the shot, "I still have to be within six hundred meters."
"You? And what makes you think you're getting this bad boy?" Michael couldn't help but chuckle. With how Nikita studied the rifle and how seriously she spoke, he knew she was too absorbed with the facts to actually suggest she kill Kasim for him. She was just thinking rationally, trying to find them the safest option like she had with the accountant. He still wanted to know why she thought she was the better option, though.
"I'm the better shot," Responding to his humor, Nikita smirked. For the most precise and efficient shot, she was the person to go to. Granted, he had to be the one behind the trigger when it came to Kasim. She realized her blunder as soon as she had made it. The kill belonged to Michael. She'd be his backup and support, providing a wind gauge and extra eyes. Yet that was all. His revenge mission didn't need her ruining everything.
"I knew you'd gone rogue. Didn't know you'd gone delusional," She was nowhere near ruining anything, however. In fact, Nikita made Michael smile. That was the first time he felt relaxed since Birkhoff gave him the lead on Kasim. It felt as though his heart had finally been taken out of the torture it had been receiving. He knew it probably wouldn't last long. Once the two were finished teasing one another, grief and pain would assault him once more. But that too could be alleviated, once Kasim was dead. Fortunately, that'd be soon.
Returning Michael's grin, Nikita nudged his shoulder. They were too close to one another again. Yet the sniper rifle in front of them helped keep their thoughts from wandering. It was difficult to picture kissing while weapons were around them. When that thought somehow did arise again, however, Nikita turned from Michael. She played it off as a part of her tease, but when she glanced back at him his eyes were alight, "I'm sorry. I remember somebody who set the distance shoot record in Division in her first year of eligibility. Who was that?"
"No respect for the man who's mark you broke?" With a crooked smile he only reserved for her, Michael dared Nikita to contradict him. They were both excellent shots- and fighters. In and out of Division, they gave each other a run for their money. He remembered a time he managed to shoot only her hair from paces away. Except, he wasn't going to bring that up. The two had a good thing going with their taunts. He didn't want to mess with that.
"Sucks to be you," Shrugging, Nikita chuckled. Michael laughed. They continued to smile at one another, shoulders attempting to nudge each other as they crouched by the rifle. Moments like those reminded them of the friendship they were working back towards. They used to tease like that in Division, during late nights as they poured over the intel of an op. It was just like that all over again- only with different stakes.
Glancing back at the sniper rifle, Michael suddenly grew grave. The short break to joke around was nice. But they had to get back to their mission. His chance to finally kill Kasim was only in a few short hours. He and Nikita didn't have that much time to delay. They had to plan, prepare, and execute the operation. He also had to ready himself mentally for the task. He was about to make things right for Hayley and Elizabeth. He couldn't be distracted, "Nikita. You know I need to take this shot."
"I know," Nikita nodded. She wouldn't dare argue with him. She also wouldn't go against his plans. She and Michael worked out everything they needed to for the mission, then took off. They found a spot in the neighboring woods to snipe Kasim from. All they had to do was wait for him and his guards to arrive. It shouldn't be much longer after that for the bastard to be dead.
Except, not even well thought out schemes could go in the rogues favor. Kasim and his guards soon arrived at the meeting place, yet the terrorist was never alone. In Michael's line of fire, there was no clear shot. He attempted to find one. He shifted around. He watched his target closely. Yet there was never a precise shot to Kasim. Even if Michael could hit him, he might not die. He could recover and become even more elusive. Michael couldn't take that risk. It wasn't the target nor the mission to make poor decisions, "No shot."
Spying through her binoculars, Nikita attempted to find Michael an alternative. Although Kasim went inside, there had to be a way to draw him back out. She could force a clear shot for her partner if she had to. There was a gas tank around the corner of the meeting place. If she tampered with it and it exploded, everyone would rush back outside. Kasim would be dead. Michael wasn't a fan of her scheme; they should just wait it out. Yet Nikita didn't care. They weren't giving up when they were so close, "We have to control the play, Michael."
Considering the alternative, Michael had to relent to Nikita's plan. But, he could make certain she stayed safe and smart. It wasn't enough just to blow the gas tank. She also had to take out Kasim's car. If he couldn't run away, then Michael could shoot. Nikita was well aware of that- she didn't need him telling her- and she tried to leave. He held her back. If he couldn't go down with her, the least he could do was give her his knife, "Alright. Take this."
"I have," Nikita rolled her eyes. She had a knife. She didn't need to borrow Michael's. Besides, if she got into any trouble down on the ground, she could take care of herself. She hadn't always needed a partner. She was stellar on her own. Michael should keep his attention on snipping. That was more important.
He only shook his head and tried to give her the knife, anyway. He was covered in the woods by trees and his rifle. With many armed guards around, Nikita needed to be extra careful. She also had to be extra stealthy. His knife was for the best. She just had to trust him, "Mine's better. I don't need it up here. As long as you bring it back…"
"The mission's over. I know Michael. I'm a big girl now. I don't need a good luck charm," It was something Michael used to do when she was a recruit- and even when she was an agent. To help her with her nerves, he gave her something to hold onto until the training or mission was over. If she was able to give it back to him afterwards, then the worst was truly over. She could breathe easily again. Yet she hadn't needed that trick in a long time. She had learned how to find comfort by herself.
"Take it anyway, Big Girl," Michael smirked, handing out his knife. Nikita sighed but took it anyway. It came in handy when she let the air out of Kasim's tires, and as she silently took out one of the guards. She heard Michael praise her over the coms Birkhoff had given her before she left, and she couldn't help but smile to herself. Nikita might've claimed she didn't need Michael's comfort, yet hearing him say 'atta girl' helped settle her far more than she could do on her own. It was as though no matter what, she knew he'd have her back and be proud of her. She hoped he knew she felt the same about him.
Unfortunately, the two's success didn't last long. The next guard Nikita faced wasn't as easy to take down. Her com fell out before she managed to break her assailant's neck. She signaled that to Michael as she continued her way to the gas tank. She didn't have time to look for it; she just had to keep going. He cursed under his breath at their ill fortune, but otherwise did his best to shrug it off. They could operate with a lost com. It was the other problem he noticed approaching the meeting place that had him worried. Things just got so much worse.
"No. No, no, no. Nikita, Division agents are here. I repeat. Division… Sonofabitch," Barely remembering the missing com, Michael attempted to warn Nikita of the new group of armed men sneaking into the area. Division must've spotted the rogues on the hotel cameras and followed them to Kasim. How exactly they were there, however, didn't matter. Michael simply had to stop them, help Nikita, and kill Kasim.
None of that worked out for him. Michael rushed to Nikita's side, shooting at any Division agent he came across. His progress was slow with the hail of bullets, yet he still should've been able to help Nikita draw out Kasim. Soon, though, that wasn't even necessary. The shooting had already brought the terrorist outside. Then was Michael's chance. All he had to do was aim his pistol and shoot.
But with Division, and the guards, and the close quarters kill, it wasn't that easy. Michael took multiple rounds to the vest protected chest before he could even squeeze off a shot. The world turned black around him. The last thing he was aware of was that he failed.