Note: This is an idea I've had for a long time and I am so excited to be finally sharing it with you. It took me such a long time to figure out where I wanted to go with the whole story. I am no writer by any means so bear with me. This is my first plot-driven story. I'm writing the chapters as they come so hopefully everything comes together nicely at the end but I would love to hear your input and opinion about it.

Quick Disclaimer: The reason why Sean and Ryan are alive in this one is because I absolutely loved those characters so I have blocked their deaths out of my mind haha. They all live happily in my head. In a future story (that is still in the very early stages of development), you will see how I have alternated the plot so that they have survived.

Chapter 1 - 4 Years Later

26th August, Friday

It was an early sunny morning. Michael was taking Archie out on their usual morning walk around the neighbourhood. It was one of his favourite things to do. Archie was a big dog full of energy so he required at least two nice walks a day. It had its pros. It was always nice and quiet and in the summer not as hot so Michael enjoyed that time. He had no idea though that morning was going to be the start of one hell of a journey.

As he was walking out of the front gate of the house he noticed an unfamiliar car parked on the street. His gut told him something wasn't right with it. The neighbourhood in which Nikita and he had bought a house was very family-orientated. All the neighbours knew each other and it was a lovely peaceful community.

Michael knew every single family that lived on this street and they had been living there for a while to know whose cars were whose. Maybe that was more of a spy thing to be aware of these details but it was always a useful skill to have.

And that was the reason he instantly noticed the vehicle in the first place. He had never seen it before and he had also never seen the man in the driver's seat. He was alone and just sitting there looking around. He looked young, mid-twenties or something. It was an odd thing to see someone just sitting around in their car that early in the morning. The guy didn't look like he was waiting for anyone.

Archie pulled on his leash and got Michael out of his thoughts. He knelt down to pet the excited dog and they headed down the street. He really needed to stop doing that. Even though 4 years had passed since they were all free and clear, the constant feeling of looking out for danger never stopped.

Nikita would think someone was following her around or have bad nightmares about something terrible happening to her family. He would catch a stranger looking at them weirdly and be immediately ready to attack and protect. Or he would start overthinking the smallest things like the car on the road. There were many logical reasons why there could be an unfamiliar car in the neighbourhood yet his mind jumped to danger straight away.

He had to distract himself. Walking Archie around the area first thing in the morning really helped him start the day on a good note and helped him wake up faster. There was a park a short walk from their house which was very convenient. They did a few laps around. Michael threw a few balls for Archie to catch to get some of his energy out. He had to go to work today so he wouldn't be able to play with him as much. After a while of letting him run around Michael got him back on the leash and they started heading back home.

Michael was distracted by something on his phone and as the house appeared in the distance he didn't notice that there was someone waiting by the gate. Archie did though and started barking. He was a very protective dog. Nikita and Michael didn't adopt him with the intention of him being a guard dog. They just loved him the instant they met him so he became a part of their family. The protectiveness was a bonus. Nikita even teased Michael that Archie was him in a dog version.

"Arch it's okay" Michael hadn't noticed the person in front of the house yet. They were still down the street and he wasn't sure what the barking was for. Archie was pretty good at listening to the couple so when he didn't settle down Michael looked around properly.

He saw him then. The man from the car. He was standing by the gate of the house and was looking around. Michael took in his appearance. He didn't look dangerous, his clothes couldn't conceal a possible weapon and he just looked lost.

Michael and Archie finally reached the house and the man noticed them. Archie had calmed down but his owner still had to hold his leash close. The former agent greeted the guy politely hoping to get some information and ease his nerves. "Can I help you?"

The stranger seemed hesitant for a second but put on an act really quickly "Yes, I'm actually looking for my friend's house. I know she lives around here. We haven't seen each other in a few years so I'm not really sure which one is her house. I want to surprise her. Maybe you know her. Her name is Nikita.'' Michael definitely didn't buy it and tensed a little bit. He had put on that same act in front of many people to get information throughout the years. This guy clearly wasn't the smart type though. If he was looking for Nikita (and Michael knew he was no friend of hers) he could have at least done his research and figured out who her husband was.

"I have a feeling you might have to think about that one again because Nikita happens to be my wife and I sure as hell know that you are not a friend of hers. So let's start this again" Michael slowly let loose Archie's leash in case anything were to happen. What were the odds of this man looking for Nikita and seemingly watching their house simultaneously? Maybe he knew exactly where she lived and was just waiting around for her. But for what? And if he really did know where she lived would he be so stupid to ask her husband? So many questions…

The guy was startled and took a step back ready to start sprinting to his car. That answered one of Michael's questions. This guy clearly didn't know who he was. Michael caught him by his shirt and pulled him back. "You are not going anywhere before you tell me why you are looking for my wife" He wasn't just going to let him run off. Not after all that. Something was up and Michael didn't like it.

"I swear I'm not doing your wife, I was just paid to find the house" The guy was really scared now and instantly started talking. He was sure this man was going to beat him up or something for asking about his wife. It was his mistake. He shouldn't have talked to anyone and just done his job.

"Relax, I know my wife is not cheating on me. Who paid you?" That never even crossed his mind because it would never be a thing in his and Nikita's relationship. It threw him off when someone suggested it. It just wasn't a thing in their world. He focused his attention more on the bit of information that he did get.

"Look, I'm sorry man, I'm just trying to get some extra money on the side. I'm a student I don't want any trouble, please" The guy was really starting to freak out but Michael needed more information. He also couldn't interrogate him on the street like that for long. Soon his neighbours will start going to work and see the unravelling scene in front of his house.

"Well, the person who has paid you clearly doesn't like you because this is not a normal job for extra money. How old are you?" Michael quickly opened the gate and shoved the guy to get in. The front area of the house was pretty well hidden by the fence and Michael and Nikita had a really private front yard as well.

Michael let Archie loose and sent him to wait by the front door while he tried to figure everything out. "Sit down." Michael nodded towards the bench on the side and the guy instantly sat down. "I am going to ask you a few questions and if you answer them you are not going to get into any trouble. And if you help me out with everything you know I will double the amount that someone has promised you" Michael recognised that this was just some scared kid trying to get by. It was more concerning who would send him to spy on actual spies.

The guy's eyes widened when he heard Michael's condition. If he was willing to pay him double without even knowing what he was promised to earn that meant some serious business. He couldn't fool around. He could answer a few questions. "Okay. My name is Allen. I'm 23. I study Arts at the university out here. I was born in.."

"Hey, hey relax. I told you, you're not in trouble. I don't need your biography. I know you are not involved in whatever this is. I'm just going to ask you some questions and I need you to answer them, okay?" Michael tried to even his tone and not seem so scary. This guy was terrified enough already.

Allen nodded repeatedly. "Tell me about the person who paid you. How did he approach you? Do you know him?"

"Will he be in trouble?" That told Michael that he knew him. He had to tread very carefully. "Depends. There might be people out there who would want to hurt my wife or me so I just need to know if it's that or.." Michael was cut off by Allen who started denying that strongly "No no no nothing like that. That's just what my uncle does for his job. He doesn't harm anyone."

"Your uncle?" Michael expected him to say anything but that. Why would someone send their seemingly innocent nephew to do the dirty work? "Yes, he is a private investigator."

All of Michael's theories went out the window. Private investigators weren't used in their world unless they were a target to kill because of finding something damaging. Those days were over though. Michael couldn't find a connection.

"So he asked you to do what exactly? Tell me everything he told you." He didn't think it would be much but at least it didn't feel like immediate danger. He could resolve it.

"He called me like two days ago and asked for a favour. He is working on some case and said he needed to locate a woman named Nikita Mears. He had information that she lived in this neighbourhood so he asked me to use my spare time to drive around and see which house she lived in. I have done things like that before for him. He is very busy so I help and he pays me" Allen explained nervously. He had never been caught the previous times his uncle sent him somewhere.

"Did he tell you what the case was about or why he needed her exact address?" Michael was starting to doubt it was anything coming after them from the past. If it was an enemy of some sort they wouldn't have gone that route at all.

"No, he never talks about current cases that he is working on. I think he wants to talk to her maybe." Allen tried to provide everything he knew. His uncle's tasks were usually to track down a witness or something like that. It was never anything dangerous.

"Okay and I assume this was your first time circling around"

"Yeah?" Allen questioned how he knew that. Clearly, he was an amateur yes but not that much.

"How do I know that? The woman you were going to stalk, and this is stalking so don't even look at me like that, she is not even in the country. So you were going to wait for her for days and someone would have noticed a guy alone sitting in his car in a neighbourhood full of children" Michael disapproved of this uncle using his nephew like that. It really could get the guy in trouble so he had to put it in a way so he could understand how it looked.

"What, no?! How is that stalking my uncle does it all the time!" Allen desperately tried to defend himself. The situation wasn't like that at all.

"He is a private investigator. Yes, that may excuse his actions in front of the law but that doesn't apply to you. Take my advice and cut the favours." This private investigator really didn't know what he was poking around into. If Nikita or Michael had caught Allen following them they would have taken action and asked questions later and it wouldn't have been good.

Allen didn't say anything more. He couldn't argue on the matter. It did look bad but he didn't think his uncle would put him in a situation like that. It was his own fault. He blew his cover.

"I need one more thing from you and you are free to go. Wait here and don't try running again" Michael went into the house and was back out shortly after with a notepad. "I want his details. Name, phone number, office"

"Look I told you enough already. I can't. It's my uncle" Allen didn't feel right about the situation. He wouldn't give information on who his uncle is. He didn't even know if he was supposed to or not. And he also didn't know who this man was and if he was dangerous or not.

"I am asking you because it's easier. You will be surprised how easy it is to find someone with only knowing one or two things about that person. So are you going to make it easier and earn double the amount or…?" Michael didn't think he would win him with the money. He didn't seem like that type of person but he had to try to speed things up.

"Okay, but if you hurt him I'm going to the police" Poor guy really failed at the all-tough act. Michael sighed "Okay, just write it down now."

Michael really wanted to get this over with. His morning had turned into a giant mess of anxiety and so many questions. He didn't know where to even start. Allen provided him with all the information he asked for. He tried to pay him but the guy ignored him and walked off. Michael watched him quickly walk (almost jog) back to his car and drive off.

Michael was finally able to go inside the house with Archie. He took care of him and fed him before switching his attention back to the notepad. "Brian Miller" He mumbled. The name didn't ring any bells. Whether that was a good or a bad thing was yet to be discovered. It had to happen soon though. Luckily Nikita was far away from this. She would have probably freaked out as much as he did at first.

Michael had to resolve the matter before she got home. If he told her about it now it would only worry her. He did text his best friend though that he was on his way to the office soon and asked him to find everything on Brian Miller. The only person who could dig up everything about someone was Birkhoff.

They had started working together a year after Birkhoff set up his tech company. He needed someone by his side like a right-hand man who he could trust so he asked Michael. He actually asked Nikita to join them as well but she declined. She would have lost it the first day on a desk job. So she just stuck to helping them on occasions. She also loved helping Alex with taking down trafficking rings and all her other projects. Nikita was happy with that mix of things. And that's how Nikita and Michael ended up moving to the UK.

Michael was more of the brain on the business and practical side of things while Birkhoff and Sonya dealt with all the new developments and technology they were putting out. They were very good as a team in that dynamic, and Michael actually enjoyed the job more than he thought he would. He did have the privileges of going to the office building only when he had to and when he could so that was also a plus.

He went upstairs to take a shower and get ready. Hopefully, that was going to help with his racing mind. He couldn't stop thinking about Nikita. Whenever something like that would freak them out they had each other for comfort. He could reach out to her and hug her, have her in his arms knowing she was safe by just feeling her. Michael didn't have that right now. He tried to stop thinking about the worst. It was the thought of someone looking for Nikita and sending someone to find where exactly she lived that was very unsettling.

He headed back downstairs and made himself something to eat. Settling on some cereal he went out to the backyard to eat at the table there and grab some more fresh air. Hopefully, his time outside could be more peaceful now. And it certainly was going to be when he saw his phone light up from a call.

Thank you so much for reading xx

I'll try to be as consistent as possible with the updates. I have the next two chapters done so I'm hopeful haha. Let me know what you think of the first chapter!