"You don't have to go alone. You don't even have to be Josephine. I can go with you," Michael followed Nikita around the safehouse as she gathered her gear for the mission. She had returned to inform her partners of Ryan's latest intel, grab some weapons, track where Voss might show up next, and prepare a fake ID. She had a pretty good idea about where her target would be. He had loved a resort in Canada; if he was recently released from prison and was looking for a place to hide after the disaster with the CIA, then he'd head there. Nikita just had to know when he'd arrive.
She'd be prepared to meet him once he did. She'd get him to take her up to his room, gain his trust once more, and intercept the dirty bomb. Nikita didn't like what she'd have to do to achieve all that, and apparently Michael didn't either. Yet she didn't have any other choice. A dirty bomb couldn't wind up on the black market, and a dead CIA agent couldn't be ignored. The rogues needed to do something to help. Since they didn't have much time for anything else, her first idea had to work, "We don't have time to build up Voss' trust. He's spooked, and is looking to get rid of the bomb. A familiar face will get us what we need."
"I'm still going," Packing his mission bag as well, Michael decided. He knew how much Nikita hated playing Josephine. He had wanted to put a stop to those missions for her when he was in Division, but who knew how many times she had to step into that role once he had left. For example, he hadn't been there for the Voss mission. It could've been Nikita's millionth time performing the raven protocol. Whether it had or hadn't been, she was as tense, anxious, and angry as she ever was for a seduction mission. Michael refused to let her walk into that situation on her own. He was determined to be by her side through it all.
"Backup only. Got it?" Sighing, Nikita eventually agreed. She couldn't stop Michael from going on the mission with her; she'd admit that she needed a partner watching her back and keeping her steady. But she could stop him from interfering with her plan. Voss wouldn't trust Josephine or even want to talk to her if she showed up with a tall and sexy man on her arm (not that Michael was especially sexy, just that he would be a stranger that could frighten Voss). Michael would simply have to be backup in case things went wrong. He easily agreed to the stipulation. Whatever Nikita needed of him, he'd do.
"Ryan and I will let you know if we get any updates," Once the two agents settled on a plan, Birkhoff informed them of what he'd be up to. He had managed to acquire the security camera footage Ryan had seen that tipped him off to the whole situation. The hacker planned to review it and uncover any more information about what was occurring. Maybe all the rogues had to care about was the dangerous new missile. Yet Birkhoff wouldn't hold his breath. A feeling deep in his gut screamed they were missing something. He only hoped he could find it in time.
While Birkhoff and Ryan dug deep into their research, Michael and Nikita jetted off for Canada. They established her Josephine identity at the resort. Then, they waited. The instinct Voss made an appearance, Nikita went into action. Michael remained on coms outside in a truck they had 'occupied'. He'd listen to everything he could. If something were to happen, he'd be able to leap into action. For some reason, knowing he had her back helped Nikita settle her racing heart as she became Josephine once again. She wasn't alone. She didn't have to go too far in her seduction. Michael would be with her the entire time.
Michael didn't like what he heard, however. It wasn't right that Nikita had to be something she hated in order to save the world. There should've been other ways. Voss shouldn't have been all over her while she tried to slyly pull away. Michael wanted to burst into the room and stop what was happening. Except, he couldn't ruin the operation. He couldn't make it worse for Nikita. All he could do was sit and listen, fists clenched around the steering wheel. Until he heard silence through the com. Until there was a loud bang. Until Nikita cursed, "Shit. Gogol."
A part of Nikita had expected Division to burst onto the scene; a part of her believed they were involved in what was occurring. Unfortunately, that part of her was dead wrong. Gogol agents swarmed the room, heading straight to Voss. No doubt they were after the dirty bomb too- just for far more nefarious means. Nikita had to jump into the fight and stop them. Although Voss had a gun (when did he start carrying around one of those) he was no match for the agents. She was, though. Better yet, Gogol was no match for her.
It wasn't long before Nikita had the agents unconscious or dead. She had to admit that it was slightly difficult- the big guy just wouldn't go down. But there were plenty of heavy objects around her to utilize. The threat of Gogol was soon neutralized. She could return her attention to Voss; though, her cover was sufficiently blown. The charade was over. She should just confess and demand the information. With all the bodies around him, he might just blurt it out. All she needed to give him was an opener. Fortunately, Michael gave her that as he scrambled through the door and examined the carnage, "Are you sure you even needed backup?"
"Emil, Michael. He's with me," Ripping off her wig (it was a similar hairstyle to the one Josephine used to have) Nikita sighed. Since they were all together, Voss had to start talking. She really wanted to know what the gun was all about, yet that wasn't as important as the dirty bomb. She had to wait for answers to non-vital questions later. Then, she needed to know about the weapon. And Gogol. Voss, however, was too distracted by Michael and by Nikita's hair. He glanced between them, a million thoughts pinging around. One particular one about the rogue's relationship was clear. Nikita blushed slightly as she shook her head, "Not like that."
"Then like what? Who are you, cause you sure the hell aren't Josephine," Voss snapped. He continued to frantically study the room around him, more panic raging through him. His smooth, suave demeanor was completely gone. He was terrified. Probably as terrified as he was trying not to be if Gogol was after him and he was carrying a gun. The rogues were right to have suspected more was going on. But that wasn't a fact to celebrate. They had to reset their plans and push forward into more bullshit. It always got worse.
"We're here to help you get that dirty bomb into good hands," Nikita explained gently. Her answer wasn't substantial, but it was all Voss could take at the moment. Besides, she had taken out an entire room of enemy agents; she could take care of him. The three hurried out of the resort and took off in the stolen truck. As they discussed what was occurring, Voss directed the rogues to where he had hidden the weapon. He still didn't completely trust them, but they were better than Gogol. And they could all get what they wanted if they worked together: the bomb would be off the market, and they'd survive another day.
After Nikita and Michael updated the others, Ryan told them a CIA team would be awaiting Voss at the border. The two just had to smuggle him there without getting caught by Gogol; that seemed easy enough. They were able to continue talking to Voss as they traveled. He was remorseful for what had happened and for the past atrocities he had caused. He wanted to be better, thus why he was turning over the bomb. Nikita completely understood his reasonings, even grinning softly as he finally left. Unfortunately, the smile was short-lived. Birkhoff's voice exploded into the coms just a little too late, "Division ruined the drop! Not Gogol. It was Roan!"
"Sean? What are you doing… uh, what's up?" Alex stopped herself from being rude to Sean. He was just the last person she would've expected at her door. For the past few hours, Alex and Nathan had been talking, laughing, and cooking in her kitchen. It was so nice, fun, and relaxing, she forgot who she was or who she was supposed to be. She simply existed with her sweet, kind, funny neighbor. Then Sean knocked on her door. Alex didn't want to suddenly be on guard and overthink just because he was there. All she wanted was peace and relaxation. She wanted to remain in her small moment of being normal.
"I was going to ask you the same thing. I was wondering if you'd want to get something to eat with me. Looks like I'm too late for that," Spying into her apartment, Sean replied. He smiled warmly- maybe just a little sheepishly- but it didn't seem all too genuine to Alex. She pulled back from her neighbor and eyed him suspiciously. He tried to smile more, yet it only slightly worked. Something was going on with him. She didn't like it. She also didn't trust it. There was something severely off with him.
"Why don't you come in? We've got more than enough pizza," Unfortunately, Nathan didn't notice the same things Alex did. He just saw an opportunity to get to know more about his other new neighbor. Although his time alone with Alex was ruined, the night could still be fun and relaxing. Sean beamed as he entered, ever so grateful to be included. Alex just stared after him as she relocked her door. That was incredibly sweet of Nathan to include him, yet she really wished he hadn't. Her calm was gone. And she just knew that the dinner was doomed to fail.
Things were awkward at first. Alex and Nathan had to shift from a date-like mentality to just friends. Sean didn't seem to notice the tension. Or, if he did, he simply ignored it. That just made it worse. At least it didn't last too long. The three soon found a comfortable groove. They talked and finished making the pizzas, then they sat to eat. Conversation was light and aimed for fun. At least for a while. When they were nearly done with dinner, Sean turned to Alex with a serious question. His mood shifted as he asked it, no longer laughing, no longer smiling, "So, Alex. What exactly do you do for a living?"
"Um. I'm a social media consultant. Kinda like one of those influencers, but specifically for fashion companies," Alex rattled off the cover Division had given for her. She didn't quite understand the job they had given her. All she really understood was that it gave her a reasonable excuse to be gone from her apartment at strange intervals. Maybe the obscurity of it would also discourage people from looking further into it. They'd simply shrug and move onto the next subject. That was what Nathan did. Sean, however, gave Alex a strange look that made her instantly fortify her guard.
"So you do whatever someone tells you? Dress up and give them their fantasies?" Sean barely glanced up at Alex. He practically mumbled his words as he chewed on his pizza. However, Alex understood him perfectly. Nathan seemed to as well, side eyeing their neighbor. But she wasn't focused on him. She stared at Sean incredulously. What did he just allude her occupation to. Did he call her a prostitute. Apparently, he did. And he wasn't backing down from his position, "At least, that's my understanding of social media influencers."
"I still have control," Not willing to even attempt to hide her lividity, Alex seethed. She liked to think that that had some effect on Sean. He seemed to shrink in his chair for a second. How dare he accuse her of selling herself, especially with Nathan present. She hadn't escaped from a situation like that and gained more power than she had in a long time, to be taunted in her own home. She should just kick Sean out right that second. She should throw a pizza in his face and scream until he left. That was certainly what he deserved.
"But you still also give into the fantasy," Sean's next words froze Alex in place, however. He was all too knowing with his look. He was also a bit judgy. Maybe that was why he was so odd around her. He had made an assumption about her and stuck to it. He wouldn't change his mind, instead he'd just harass her for it. She was definitely going to kick his ass. But not in front of Nathan. She still wanted to be normal around him. She just had to stew in her anger and find another way to get back at Sean.
The first thing she could think of was tormenting him for his job as well. Turnabout was fair play. And it seemed like a civil thing to do with Nathan, who was too stunned and confused to speak, at the dinner table. Alex took a deep breath to calm herself. That didn't work, so she angrily ripped off a piece of pizza with her teeth and chewed harshly. That gave her enough of a catharsis to at least speak. Her tone was acidic venom, yet it was warranted. Sean couldn't get away with his comments, "What's your job, then?"
"Making sure fantasies stay real," Sean's hazel eyes were unwavering as he stared at Alex. He didn't flinch or falter. His reply wasn't anything cute, teasing, light, whatever. He was completely serious. And Alex quickly figured out why that was. It wasn't a coincidence that he moved into the apartment building the same time she had. It also wasn't odd that he always studied her all too knowingly. Sean knew exactly who Alex was. At least, he knew a part of who she was. That sonofabitch was Division.
"I'm sorry, Nathan. But I think it's time for you guys to leave," Abruptly getting to her feet, Alex sternly commanded. She didn't want to kick Nathan out of her apartment as well. They had had such a great time together before Sean showed up. Except, she didn't know if she could look at her incredibly nice neighbor at the moment. She didn't want to know what he was thinking- whether he believed Sean's asinine words or not. Whatever sense of normalcy and close friendship Alex had with Nathan would be ruined for good.
Alex's intense, irritated gaze remained on Sean as he and Nathan left her apartment. Sean appeared to have realized what she was thinking. However, his expression didn't morph into shock; he wasn't surprised that she had figured him out. His fervent gaze was a warning: he'd ruin more than just a potential relationship with Nathan if she didn't get back in line. Alex somehow made her glare more threatening. Sean better watch himself. He had messed with her, which meant she could torture him right back. And she absolutely planned to.
"I had a nice time, regardless of how it ended," Nathan muttered before he left. It took Alex a moment to register what he had said. By the time she did, the door was closed and she was alone. Her first instinct was to scream. Sean and Nathan would definitely hear her if she did, however. So, she settled on biting her lips furiously and slamming her head into her hands instead. She was an idiot. She was a complete idiot for not catching Sean earlier and for blowing any possible connection between her and Nathan. She had no one to blame for that disaster but herself. Actually, she could blame one other for the shit she was in: Division.