Post "Odd Man Out"
Angel on One Shoulder, Devil on the Other
by AerynFi
Time is running out. The basic character differences between Sam and Fiona are showing themselves in their two different outlooks on the situation. Fiona would punish Schmidt's weakness to save their lives, while Sam would rather die than compromise his ethics. Both want to protect Michael and both acknowledge him as their leader.
A good leader always carries the heaviest burden.
The night before he'd held her to his chest as she slept and marvelled at her softness and her smell. She is violent, uncompromising, intelligent and fiercely loyal. Her character is hard as granite, but her trust in him makes her vulnerable. She isn't vulnerable now and her jungle ethics are making themselves known. Schmidt betrayed his business associate and is now endangering their lives. Therefore Schmidt should die. It isn't personal or motivated by anger, it is simply justice and logic. Sam talks about their honour code.
"Since when do we sacrifice other people to save our own ass?" he asks in anger.
Michael misleads them both because Sam won't agree to this course and Fiona would recognise the pain in his eyes. When you sell your soul you want to do it alone. Michael pushes Schmidt out the door at gunpoint and prepares to do something he won't be able to wash off. It will join the list of other ignoble deeds on his ledger. Schmidt is pleading the whole way as he pathetically drips blood down his leg. Michael hears Sam's shout from the doorway and he surveys the area surrounding the car park and factory. Then he sees something that gives him a spark of hope. There may be a way to appease the angel on his right shoulder and it comes in the form of a weapon. All he has to do is get away and he'll be able to save Schmidt (weasel that he is) and save the lives of his team.
Hours later he lays down on the guest bed he shares with Fiona and watches her brush her teeth. They have both showered and are ready for sleep. Another day, another crisis averted. He opens his arms and she scoots across to cuddle against him. He gently kisses the top of her head as he caresses her arm.
"Fi I need to tell you something" he says quietly. She looks up at him.
"What do you need to say?" she prompts
"I was going to hand Schmidt over to them" he says simply. "I only saw the electrical grid once I got outside. Even then, my plan may not have worked" It is a while before she answers, but when she does she speaks thoughtfully.
"I know Michael" she tells him softly. "The more I get to know you, the more I trust you. I know who you are and I know what you struggle with. For all our sakes, I'm glad you were able to save him and us, but I would have been here for you if things hadn't worked out"
They lie there quietly for a while. Insects buzz and Madeline's cigarette smoke wafts in from outside through the open window. Michael kisses her again on the top of her head.
"Thankyou Fi" he says.