Chapter Text
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Flashback from the past
The room enveloping Nik was frigid, devoid of adornments except for her solitary bed where she was in. One-handed wrist on her left hand, handcuffs restrained her to the bed frame, stark symbols of her constrained existence on her After what felt like an interminable duration, a figure entered the room - her adoptive father, Louis. His eyes bore the weight of sorrow and remorse as he regarded her.
"I warned you against this," he murmured, advancing towards her. "Against what?" Nik inquired, though she already grasped the subject of his reproach.
"You shouldn't have done this mission. You knew the risk of going back to France after Fitzroy puts you out of prison, in the first place. The next destination for you is prison. Yaz and your mother will be profoundly disappointed. Do you understand? What is your desire, Nik? To spend your days behind bars, squandering the second chance we granted you as a child to forge a different path?" His words dripped with anger.
"I owe you nothing. And if we really talk about this "second chance" you offer me. I've never ask for it. You killed both of my parents and took Yaz and I in this mess of a life it was" Nik retorted, her tone devoid of remorse, only icy resolve.
"Amélie, there's still time. You can—" Louis began, only to be abruptly cut off. "Amélie is the name bestowed upon your adoptive daughter. I am someone else now and Nik is my real birth name" Nik declared, rejecting the identity they had imposed upon her long ago.
"I can offer no salvation. This might be the last time we meet for a while, if ever again," her father confessed with a knowing gaze.
"That it is then. It's going to be five years since I haven't saw anything of three of you. I don't care what is happening to me. You never gave me the choice. I would have prefer to stay in that orphelinat if only you wouldn't have adopted me when I was 11" Nik says devoid of emotion in her voice.
Nik went silent after this.
"I will convey your love to your mother and brother," he added before leaving the room.
With a sigh, her father departed the room.
The resounding click of the closing door echoed through the space.
End of the flashback
*** *** ***
Present Day
The room where Nik was, which had been hauntingly cold in her memories, dissolved into the comforting warmth of her present reality. Nothing now constrained her but the soft embrace of her bed. The lingering echoes of the past began to fade as Nik gradually opened her eyes, finding herself drenched in sweat in her bedroom. Inhaling deeply, she endeavored to anchor herself drenched in sweat in her bedroom.
Inhaling deeply, she endeavored to anchor herself in the current moment.
"Are you okay?" Peter's concerned voice reached her ears as he sat up in bed; leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her shoulder. Nik nodded, appreciating the reassurance.
"You sure?" Peter asked once more, his worry evident.
"Stop worrying all the time, Peter. I just need some fresh air," she replied, determined to shake off the lingering shadows of the past. Pushing back the covers, Nik swung her legs over the side of the bed, making her way to the window. She opened it, inviting the cool night air to envelop her.
The cityscape sprawled before her, a tapestry of lights and shadows. As Nik leaned against the window sill, the memories of the cold, desolate room began to dissipate like morning mist. The touch of Peter's concern lingered, grounding her in the warmth of the present.
***
As Nik goes out of the bedroom to the terrace of the penthouse. Once there, she absorbed the night air, and she felt a presence behind her. Yaz looked at her with concern.
"Hey, everything okay?" Yaz questioned, taking a step closer to his sister. The concern in his voice mirrored the same worry that Peter had displayed moments ago.
Nik turned to face him, managing a half-smile. "Yeah, Yaz, I'm fine. Just had a nightmare, that's all».
Yaz frowned, sensing there was more to it. "You sure? You seemed pretty shaken up."
Nik nodded, appreciating the genuine concern in her brother's eyes. "It's nothing. Just some echoes from the past, you know?"
Yaz sighed, a mixture of relief and lingering worry etched on his face. "Nik, I know you been through a we haven't always been together but you can talk to me. About this part of your life. I know I haven't been the best brother specially after everything you've done for me, but I've change and grow up and I'm sorry for how I've been. You know you can talk to me now, right?", he says while placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I know, Yaz. Thanks," she replied, touched by his concern. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, "And Peter too, you know. He cares about you »
Nik's expression softened. "I know, Yaz. It's just..." But. Yaz cut her off, "It's just what?" Yaz asks concern. "It's about the past. Our past. I... I can't stop having flashbacks from the past" Nik says while closing her eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Yaz asks in disbelief. Nik sighing. "I'm sorry, I've..." but Yaz cut her off again.« I don't need your apology. I need your trust. I can't believe we're going through this again. You are not alone Nik. Never will be at least, I can't believe we keep having the same conversation again and again!" Yaz says feeling pissed off.
"I know I'm sorry but I didn't want to bother you with that. You have enough to do right now for... " Nik says. "For caring about you? Why is it always so complicated with you, Nik?" Yaz says being tired of Nik's behavior.
"Is everything okay?" Peter asks behind the two of them. "Yeah. Just having the same conversation all over again" Yaz says while leaving Peter and Nik alone on the terrace of the penthouse.
"Come on, you have to sleep, Nik" Peter says gently as he takes her hand to make her follow him back inside and she nods.
As Nik and Peter retreated into the penthouse, the subdued glow of the city night framed the moment. Once inside, Peter guided Nik to the comfort of their shared space. She sank onto the edge of the bed, still carrying the weight of the past on her shoulders.
"Talk to me, Nik," Peter implored, concern etched across his face. He sat beside her, offering a reassuring presence.
Nik hesitated before finally opening up, "It's just... memories from the past. Things I thought I had left behind are resurfacing." She says still feeling overwhelmed.
Peter gently squeezed her hand. "You don't have to face this alone." Peter says.", "I know," she whispered, appreciating his support.
Meanwhile, Yaz paced the living room, frustration evident in his every step. His mind swirled with a mix of concern and anger. The echoes of their troubled childhood seemed to reverberate through the penthouse.
Yaz's frustration peaked when Peter reentered the room alone. "Is she okay?" he demanded, his worry palpable.
Peter nodded, "She'll be fine. It's just some old memories catching up with her. What did you guys been through for her to act like that?"
Yaz sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I hate seeing her like this. We've been through so much."
"I understand," Peter replied, empathizing with Yaz's frustration. "She needs time, and she needs us. We can't change the past, but we can help her through it. Trust me, she's coming from a long way. I saw her worse than this" Peter says.
Yaz nodded, reluctantly accepting the reality of their situation. "I know and it is pissing me off, there's almost five years of her life and some more that I don't know anything about. I just wish she'd trust me more." Peter nodded and put and hand on Yaz shoulder, "give her some time, she will talk about it when she will feel ready" with that he left the living room.
*** *** ***
Back in the bedroom, Peter sat on the bed next to Nik.
"Hey, you feeling better?" Peter ask as gently and softly as he could.
"It will be tomorrow" Nik says but not wanting to have a conversation at the moment.
Peter understood and they both went back to bed in silence while both of them tried to go back to sleep.
As the night unfolded, the city below continued its relentless hum, unaware of the personal battles being fought within the walls of the penthouse. The echoes of the past lingered, but the strength of familial bonds and the support of those who cared offered a glimmer of hope for the future.
***
The first rays of dawn crept through the curtains of the hotel room, casting a soft glow on Nik's face as she stirred from her restless sleep. Her eyes flickered open, and a sudden surge of alertness jolted her awake. A glance at the clock revealed that she had woken up earlier than the others, her instincts nudging her to action.
As she poured coffee into her cup, her computer lit up with the face of Macon. A tired smile crossed her face. "I got you, son of a bitch," Nik muttered, smiling to herself.
However, her grin faded when she noticed Macon was somewhere in Australia. The search continued, revealing the city of Sydney and the street where he was located. Nik's face turned serious
"Fuck," she muttered, rushing into Lana's bedroom.
Nik knocked on the door, then entered without waiting for a response. "What? Do you know it's only 5 AM?" Lana said, tired and annoyed.
"We have to leave. Now," Nik declared with determination.
"Why are you so upset and a pain in the ass?" Lana complained, but her tone softened as she saw the seriousness on Nik's face. "Macon is here, in Sydney. The radars capture him through a camera, he was leaving the airport a couple hours ago. So he could be here any minute" Nik said, her voice tinged with hurt despite how much she tried to hide it.
A few seconds later, a knock on Lana's door have been heart and Fitzroy came in confused, his eyebrow high up.
"What's going on?" Fitzroy asked, appearing with a tired face. "Do you know the hour it is?" he added, confused by the situation.
"Nik is losing her mind, that's all," Lana said dismissively, earning a hard look from Nik. "Macon is here, in Sydney. He arrived a couple of hours ago. We need to leave, now," Nik asserted with determination.
"Are you sure of that?" Fitzroy asked, looking at Nik skeptically. "Since when do you doubt my information? We're wasting time." Nik said, visibly upset.
"You need to calm down, Nik," Fitzroy advised, looking confused. "She says the truth," Yaz chimed in from behind them.
"All right, we need to localize him to know where he is exactly, and then we leave," Fitzroy said, adopting a more reasonable tone. The urgency in the air prompted them to act swiftly, setting the stage for a tense pursuit in the unfamiliar streets of Sydney.
"I'm calling Tyler" Nik says upset as she leaves the room.
*** *** ***
Nik went back to her room to call Tyler back. After a couple of seconds, he answer the call.
"Tyler? I'm sorry I know we thought it was over but apparently it isn't. Macon is here in Sydney. I need your help, if you still want to help for this mission. I'll understand if you want to stay with your family. I'm sorry I had to call you back..." Nik says not happy about the situation.
"I'll be here in 30 minutes. Prepare to leave and I'll be there as soon as possible for the extraction of this building" Tyler answer to her confidently.
"Thank you, Tyler" Nik says and Tyler nodded from the other side of the phone allowing her request.
*** *** ***
After a few minutes of taking down what was the best way to get out of the hotel building where they were.
Nik and Yaz took the elevator and cover all the exit way to make sure nobody could enter this building without them to notice. While Tyler and Peter were extracting Lana and Fitzroy out the building.
They get down to the parking garage without any trouble. Nik thought the best way to get out of Sydney without any problems from Macon's was to take cars and to camouflage with others to become invisible.
Fitzroy didn't liked the idea but as the time and the option were limited, he didn't have any other suggestion.
Yaz, Tyler and Peter followed the orders and soon enough they were to the privet airport with Nik and Yaz privet jet that they have saved for the extraction of the missioN.
The coordinates pinpointed of Macon stop showing as if he had disappeared from Sydney. Which made Nik even more tense and doubtful about the whole plan. If something was turning bad, it would her fault and even thought she is angry at the moment, she knows that she will never forgave herself if anything bad happen to the both of them.
Before they went to the plane Nik make sure that no bond or any possible threat was inside either outside the plane.
After 30 minutes to make sure that the plane was safe as the outstanding the team and the plane left Sydney safely to their next save place.
*** *** ***
Flashback
10 years ago, Versailles, France.
A young woman in her 20s with long black hair and brown eyes is sitting on a metal chair, handcuffed to the table.
A men in front of her, in his 35s, with black and grey hair is sitting in front of the woman.
"It's been 10 minutes. Since you look at me in the eye and you haven't said a word, yet. How many ways do you want to kill me right now?" the unknown man said.
The woman in front of him gave the man a deadly smile with emptiness in her brown eyes.
"My name is Fitzroy. I am here to put you out of this prison" Fitzroy says.
But the woman gave him a suspicious look.
"By who?" she asks.
"The CIA. You have the profile that is needed apparently" Fitzroy answered to her.
"Do you have read my profile? What have I done?" she replied.
"I have read your dossier. The classified one. Pretty dark considering your childhood and how you got here in France in the first place with your brother. Yaz, am I right? So, what do you think of this arrangement, Nik Khan? You work for the CIA, for me, and you free " Fitzroy said.
Nik looks at him.
"No" Nik answered and Fitzroy looked at her surprise. "You know how many years you are going to stay in this prison?" he replied.
"I know. I don't work for people who threatened my brother. So it's going to be a negative answer for your job" Nik told him.
"It wasn't a threat by any means. Just a fact. I am not a bad guy. I am from the good side. The one that gave you a second chance as a child. And who gives you a third chance today? You should considerate it".
Fitzroy told her.
Nik smiled in disbelief with a light of danger in her eyes.
"Don't mess up with me. The last time someone did that it ended up badly and I finished here" Nik replies to him coldly.
"I don't mess with you. If I am here today it's because I respect how you work and your past. I would have done the same to protect your brother. I have one too". He says without hiding his emotions.
Nik sighed and looked at the window unbothered.
"If I ever accept? When does it start?" she asks casually. Fitzroy smiled at the happiness that she had accepted the job.
"It can start right now. Only if you think you are going to be nostalgic for this place?" he says in a funny tone.
Nik didn't replied and only gave him a sarcastic smile.
End of flashback
*** *** ***
Nik woke up on the plane and she had to try her best not to show how shaken she was from her nightmares.
She quickly took her laptop to see if there were any changes to the actual plan she made but there was nothing new. She sighed and closed her eyes trying to change her mind from the recent events and all those flashbacks from the past who was coming from her past, coming back as nightmares.
Maybe her whole life is a nightmare? She was still in her thoughts when Fitzroy sat next to her and gave her a coffee.
"Black Italian coffee without any sugar or milk. At your cost" He said while giving her the cup of coffee.
Nik smiles at this, she forgot all his intention to try to look normal.
"Thank you but you shouldn't have to put all that effort into making a coffee with those machines. I thought you were too old for this" Nik says smiling as she raises an eyebrow.
"Never too old to make a coffee to someone who just saved my niece from a dangerous threat" Fitzroy says smiling.
"If this who I am today, for you? Someone? A stranger?" Nik replies in a whisper the hurt beyond in her voice. Fitzroy's smiles fade automatically.
"It's not what I meant, Nik. After everything we have been through together... I will never consider you as a stranger same for Yaz. We are family. Lana is in adoration of you. She's always been. You are her model in any way.
"Even after all those years of silence?" Nik says bittersweet.
"I know it was difficult and you probably hurt enough for me to say this, but you don't need anyone to do anything. You've never had to. You built this empire by yourself, you are one of the smartest and strongest people I have ever met in this world. For what it's worth I am sorry for the disappearing out of your life. Six and you are the best Sierra agents that I have and you know, I consider both of you as if you were my kids. So don't you dare date each other it would be inappropriate as siblings" Fitzroy says smirking at Nik, and she nearly choked on her cup of coffee while hearing that.
"How can you say something like that? Six and I? Have you lost your mind, he's almost as immature as Yaz in those kinds of things" Nik says while rolling her eyes, knowing that Fitz was right.
"I was kidding but you won't be alone forever. You have too much to offer for being alone the rest of your life" he replies with a tiny bit of worry in his voice.
"That's the main reason I'm staying alone. I don't want what I have with someone who is initially going to die one day" Nik says smiling but Fitzroy only raises an eyebrow.
"We are all going to die. Me, you. It's a matter of time but before you get old and even colder than you are, you could make a step in your life" He replies to her knowing what he was going to ask.
"What does that mean?" She answers back to him with raised eyebrows.
"It means that if something happens to me, I want Yaz and you to take care of Lana. I trust both of you and even if she's pissed of right now, she knows you both are family. Could you accept that? She already knows Six and he's like a brother to her but if you could keep an eye on her, I would be forever grateful" Fitzroy told her a vulnerability in his voice.
"Do you have an illness?" Nik asked seriously as she wasn't expecting him to say something like this.
"I don't but I want Lana in good hands after everything that happens and will happen. I don't want her in Macon's world, if you know what I mean" He replies seriously.
"We will never abandon her Fitzroy. Lana is our niece, you don't have to worry about that. Never have to" Nik told him being serious and confused. 'Why right now?' She thought.
"You don't have to worry for me. Thank you Amélie" Fitzroy told her as he stand up of the chair and went to speak with Yaz on the other side of the plane.
*** *** ***
After one stop of the plane and another 10 hours of flight.
They've finally arrived in the Amalfi Coast. Nik always loved this place so much.
She even considering of buying a house here but for the moment a luxury hotel with view of the sea and a contact for making Fitzroy and Lana going out of the country and disappearing after was all they needed.
For their last day at the penthouse in the Amalfi Coast, Nik decided to go talk to Lana as this one avoided her for the past couple days and Nik have has enough.
Closing her laptop Nik went to the bedroom of Lana and she knock on the closed door.
A second later, the close was opened and Lana arms crossed looked at her.
"Hey" Nik says and she couldn't thought of how much it was awkward.
"Hi" Lana says and in her voice Nik could tell she's still mad.
"Could we talk please? I know you are angry at me but I've never wanted to disappear of off your life like this. I would have said goodbye. I didn't have any trace of you anywhere as Fitz, it wasn't my up to not..." But Nik didn't get the chance to finish her sentence as Lana speak up.
"I know, I know. I might have heard your conversation dad... Uncle Fitz sorry yesterday in the plane" Lana says nonchalantly.
"I thought you were sleeping?" Nik ask confused with this change of her mood.
"I like to thing I am good at acting" Lana replies smiling proudly. Nik smiles at that too.
"I know you are. Remember how you would pretended that you haven't eaten ice cream as a child and that in fact you?" Nik says almost laughing at the memory.
"Yes but it only worked once" Lana replies smiling as well.
"So are we good? Can we be like before?" Nik ask Lana softly.
"Why does it have to change? Nothing have to change, your like family to me" Lana says and Nik knew it was a vulnerable subject to her.
Instead of talking Nik smiles and took Lana in her arms.
"So... Can we now talk about Peter and you?" Lana ask curious as always and Nik sigh.
"There's nothing to talk about Peter Quinn he is only a friend to mine" Nik replies.
"Sure he is" Lana says smirking at Nik.
"What? Nothing is happening between Peter and I" Nik replies not finding the situation funny.
"Well, you guys definitely need glass to see how you both look at each other" Lana says jocking.
*** *** ***
The next day was the time for Fitzroy and Lana to disappear safely.
"Thank you for everything Nik. I really appreciate what you guys have done for me" Fitzroy says at Nik while taking her in his arms.
"You know we'll always be here for both of you. Just give a sign of life would be nice this time" Nik says.
"I will. Don't worry for that" Fitzroy replies to Nik while heading to Peter, Tyler and Yaz.
"Thank you guys. I hope your going to form a team the three of you is working pretty well" Fitzroy says as a compliment.
"We'll see how it goes" Tyler answer to Fitzroy. "Yeah. I need vacation after that" Peter replies to Tyler words and Yaz roll his eyes laughing "Come on, guys. This mission wasn't difficult just some work out for a new one" Yaz says happy to work with someone else than Nik.
"We don't have the same exact definition of 'easy' than you apparently" Peter says smirking at Yaz.
"Agree. And I have to go back to Australia so maybe another time" Tyler replies to Peter and Yaz.
"Well, forgot about what I said. It was nice to work with new faces. However, I hope I'll never saw your faces again. If it does I know I will be in trouble. Looks like the time is passing more quickly than I have expected to" Fitzroy says while looking at his watch.
He turn himself for him to see Nik saying goodbye to Lana.
"You call me this time?" Lana ask Nik serious. "Of course I will. Funny I just have the same conversation with Fitz" Nik says.
"Promise?" Lana replies. "Promise" Nik says while hugging her.
"Come on, your going to be late" Nik says trying to hide the emotion in her voice.
"I know. Thank you auntie Nik. For everything you've done" Lana says to Nik.
"There's nothing to thanks me for. I will always be there for you. At any time" Nik replies to Lana.
"I know" Lana says smiling shyly at Nik.
As the conversation end between Nik and Lana, she went back to Fitzroy and they both left in the car to a direction none of them new.
They left the team behind them. And at past twelve of the afternoon in the summertime, Nik felt the cold coming back to her bones. A sensation she knows oh too well.
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