NOTE: Here is a little more! So glad everyone liked the last chapter. I think Alex and Sam/Owen will be great together. More coming soon =) Thanks for reading and thanks for the comments!

Irreconcilable Differences

Alex and Sam sat on the edge of her bed.

"So, what do you think we should do about finding President Spencer?" Alex asked him.

"It's definitely risky. Amanda has a whole organization behind her that devotes its time to toying with the human brain and body. Right up her alley," he huffed. "I think Nikita is right. I think we should go in, guns blazing, grab Spencer, and shoot Amanda."

"Oh, but you know it won't be that easy," she smiled.

"If only..."

"I think before storming the place, we need to check it out, find out exactly where she is keeping Spencer, and come up with a way to go in quietly. Spencer is her only leverage, so once we get the president out safely, we can deal with Amanda."

"The question is: how? I'm sure Amanda has her caged up in some facility. I wouldn't be surprised if she has already began to dig around in Spencer's brain. She's already gotten a hold of pretty much all of us. I'm sure she got a kick out of having the United States President in her possession."

"Whatever we all decide to do, you should go on the mission."

"Eh...maybe."

"Why didn't you go with Michael and Nikita when they went to talk to Analisa?"

"Michael, he has always had it out for me. He thinks I can't handle myself in the field and only leave a mess to clean up. He doesn't trust me and, I don't know, maybe he shouldn't. I did attack Tasarov and knocked him out when they needed to talk to him. My luck. Now, he hates me, and he lets me know it. You heard him. I'm just going to stay out of the way, let those two love birds go."

"I think you should be there. Nikita cares about you, and she trusts you by her side during missions. And this mission is going to be the final mission. Against Amanda. Another person out there to watch her back is probably what she needs."

"Yeah..." he sighed. "I guess you are right. But I'll only go under one condition: I talk to Amanda."

"Why?"

"I want to know if she did something to me. I mean, I know she did something to me. But sometimes I feel conflicted. I feel like Sam, then I feel like Owen."

"Maybe...Sam is Owen and Owen is Sam. She just split them up and gave them different names, made you feel like you were a different person, but you've been the same this whole time."

"She definitely left out a part of the equation..."

"We'll find out," she said and touched his shoulder." She got up. "We should go back downstairs." He nodded and walked to the door. "And Sam, I think you should talk to Michael."

"Yeah..." he reluctantly agreed.

"I'll meet you down there." He nodded and walked out of the room. He saw Nikita open her door as he was closing Alex's. She turned around when she heard the door shut and was surprised to see him.

"Sam? Were you just in-"

"We were talking. She's been going through a lot. Losing Pierce...have you talked to her?"

"Wh-No, well I, yeah. Once, but she seemed fine lately. She hasn't said anything..."

"Nikita, you and I both know what she is going through. How many people did you just outright talk to? She's really upset. Guilt, it eats you alive. You should talk to her." Nikita stood there trying to figure out how she hadn't noticed. Then, she remembered. She hadn't even been around to notice anything. She had been too involved in all the mess with Amanda that it clouded her vision. Once again, Amanda was able to stand in the way. It was going to stop. She shook her head.

"I'll talk to her."

They went downstairs and noticed the smell of food which lured them into the kitchen. They saw that Ryan was talking with Sonya and Birkhoff at the island in the kitchen.

"That smells delicious," Nikita said. "Sonya did you cook?"

"Yes, I did. Spaghetti. It's simple, but I thought we could all use a home cooked meal."

"Amen to that," Sam said.

"Hey, Niki, why did you just assume it was Sonya who cooked. That's pretty sexist, yeah? Why couldn't I have been the one with the apron?" Nikita burst into laughter.

"You're funny, Nerd. You? In the kitchen? I'd expect as much as ramen noodles from you. Ryan? I'm sure you survive off of microwave dinners."

"No I'm sure Ryan can cook. Defend us guys here," Birkhoff said.

"I can whip together a sandwich," Ryan tried to defend himself.

"What PB&J?" Sonya laughed. Nikita started laughing again.

"What about you, Sam?" Birkhoff asked.

"Hey, don't look at me," Sam chuckled. Birkhoff grunted.

"Face it Seymour there are some things you aren't good at," Sonya said. Alex walked into the room.

"Mm, smells great, can I have some?"

They all got the chance to eat, talk, and relax. They knew that they had work to do, but they all needed a break. It felt nice to spend time with one another. It wasn't often that they were all together. Michael walked back in and saw everyone standing around talking. They all felt the awkward air between Nikita and Michael. Most of them had finished eating so they cleaned up and then went to mini Ops. Michael stood on the opposite side of the island from Nikita as she leaned against the kitchen countertop.

"Hungry?" She asked.

"A little."

"I'll make you a plate. Sonya made it. Delicious," she made him a plate and sat it on the island. She watched him begin to eat in silence. She didn't want to avoid the conversation anymore.

"Michael, I understand where you are coming from, but hear me out. Amanda has the President of the United States. We need to save her. If we don't, Amanda could use the president as leverage to get what she wants from the government. Once that happens, she'll be uncontrollable. We already know that Allen is another one of Amanda's guinea pigs which means she has access to the most powerful place in government. Who knows what she is going to do with that..." She waited for him to say something but he didn't. "Michael?"

He looked up and noticed the look on her face. She was as scared and unsure as he was. He knew that facing Amanda was unavoidable, but he was hoping that somehow they'd find a better way to deal with it. Nikita was Amanda's target. The fact that they were going to go after the woman who had it out for them from the beginning scared him. He just got Nikita back again, what was he going to do if something went wrong. Yet, he couldn't worry. They risked their lives everyday. It was there job, and Nikita did a damned good job.

"I love you, and I understand," he started. She smiled. "But, I don't think attacking Amanda head on is the best option that we have. If we do that, there is too much risk. I understand how much you want to get her, but you will risk losing. There is too much emotion involved. I know this isn't Division anymore, but if you were still my recruit, I wouldn't even send you out there."

"It isn't Division anymore, you're right. We can do this the way we want. Amanda wants me, so here I come."

"Nikita, promise me that when we come up with a plan, you will follow it to a tee. I need to know that you are safe. We have to make it out of this together. We have plans, right?" He gave a little smile. She opened her mouth to say something, but then heard Alex yell. Alex came running into the kitchen.

"Nikita! It's Amanda," her big green eyes were bigger than ever. "She found us. She's got a message." Michael and Nikita looked at one another and ran into the next room.

"How the hell did you hack into my computer?" Bikrhoff yelled.

"Do you forget that I used to be your superior? I know your network inside out, Birkhoff. And it is not as secure anymore that's for sure. It took my friend almost half the time that I remember it taking when I hacked into Division's network."

"How did you even find us?" Alex asked as she stepped in front of the computer.

"Easy. I'm surprised you didn't notice the car following you home from the interview. I guess they did a good job," Amanda said. Alex shook her head with frustration. She hadn't notice anything.

"Yeah, well you are lucky Shadow Net it still in the working. When I'm done you won't even be able to get passed the first firewall."

"Okay I am done talking to the children, where are the adults?" Nikita's heart dropped when she head Amanda's voice. She walked around the computer desk to look at the screen. She paused when she saw Amanda. Michael stood behind her.

"Well, Well, Well, look who got lucky. If it were up to me, you'd be trapped in a 6x8 cell awaiting conviction," Amanda said.

"I guess we can't all have what we want."

"Isn't that the truth. Well, in this case I'll get it. All in time."

"I wouldn't put a bet on it."

"You're weak. Look at all those people you rely so heavily on. I already got Michael and somehow you've evaded that, but there's so many others to choose from. I told you friends are a liability."

"You're a sick person. You aren't touching anyone else, because I am coming for you." Amanda laughed.

"Is that a threat? Oh I know you are coming. I have a message for you. It's from someone you know. Hold on..." Amanda turned the camera and they saw President Spencer. She had a piece of cloth wrapped around her head to keep her from talking. Amanda pulled it down.

"Nikita, Ryan...all of you from Division. I need your help, please! She has had me here for quite some time now. I need to get out of here," Spencer said in a panic. Amanda turned the camera again.

"Alright that's enough...So, I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Nikita. I'll be waiting." Amanda ended the call. I need to act fast, I need to end this, Nikita thought. She turned to everyone.

"We need to come up with a plan, now. Any ideas?"

"Birkhoff, you were looking up that address for the money transfer, right?" Michael asked. Birkhoff sat back down in his chair.

"Right," he pulled up his search. "I did some digging but in vain. The address just leads to an old abandoned factory. No activity near there. I even checked to see if it matched an area on the map of Shop facilities."

"And?" Nikita asked.

"Nada. Dead end."

"Now, we don't even have a lead," Ryan sighed.

"No, I think we do. There could be activity there. We just can't see it on the surface. It could look like an old, run-down factory on the outside, but on the inside they could have a fully functioning facility," Alex said.

"The only way to find out would be to check the place out. It could get us closer to Amanda," Sam concluded. Nikita took a moment to think, then nodded with approval.

"You're right. We need to scope the place. Michael, let's go tomorrow bright and early," Nikita said.

"Wait," Alex started. "You two had to do the last mission. How about Sam and I go check the place out?"

"But Alex you are Alexandra Udinov remember?" Sonya said.

"If this is just a field mission that only involves searching, I shouldn't have a problem," Alex said.

"Alright then, let's have Sam and Alex check out the factory. Meanwhile, we will think of other ways to find Amanda," Ryan said. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Everyone settled down for the night. Nikita and Michael were cleaning off their guns, Sonya and Birkhoff were playing Assassin's Creed, and Alex, Ryan, and Sam were talking. Sam glanced over at Michael. He thought about what Alex said to him earlier. He knew that he should talk to Michael, but he didn't want to. He knew the conversation could end up turning sour. The last thing he needed was for things to get worse between them. Alex noticed Sam look over at Michael and she nudged him on the shoulder. He looked at her and could already tell what she wanted him to do without her saying anything. What the hell.

Nikita and Michael were laughing at something as he walked up to the table. The both of them got quiet and stared at Sam.

"Hey..." He started.

"Hey Sam, what's up?" Nikita asked.

"I,uh, wanted to ask Michael a question." Michael had went back to cleaning his guns when Sam started talking. Then, he paused and turned back around. Nikita knew what was going on so she excused herself. Sam could already see Michael getting defensive without him even saying anything.

"What did you want to ask me, Owen?" Michael said. Sam cringed when he heard Owen. He made it known to everyone that he was no longer Owen. His name was same. Yet, after talking with Alex about how he truly felt about his identity, he really didn't know who he was. He almost corrected Michael out of habit but Michael looked at him and corrected himself. "Sam."

"I just wanted to talk to you about early today. Look, I know you don't like me. You think I'm irresponsible-"

"And impulsive and too unstable..."

"...okay."

"It's not that I don't like you, I just look at things the way I did at Division. Even though we made it a new Division and now even though Division is gone, we still go on missions. Therefore, we need people out on the field that can be relied on."

"And what makes you think that I can't be relied on?" Sam asked. Michael turned to look at him. Do you really need me to list them for you? He thought to himself.

"Well, for one, you completely changed personalities on us and turned against the people who were only trying to help you. What makes you think that just because you have been accepted back that we should trust anything that you do? You have to prove that you are a good asset to the team."

"Yes, and to do that you have to trust me a little bit. You have to give me a chance. I am going to go on missions with you and Alex and Nikita whether you agree with it or not. Last time I checked you weren't the boss here," Sam said. Michael looked at him and then turned back to his guns. "We don't have to like each other, but we do have to work together. We all have a common goal." Sam walked away without waiting for Michael to reply. He tried his best to reconcile their differences, but at that point in time it was no use. There was too much stress on everyone, Nikita and Michael were having problems. He decided to keep his relationship with Michael strictly professional. No point in trying to push a friendship with someone who doesn't want one.

While Sam and Michael talked to one another, Nikita asked Alex if she could talk to her in the kitchen.

"What's wrong, Nikita?" Alex asked. Without saying anything, Nikita pulled Alex into a hug. Alex was surprised, but she accepted the hug from her friend.

"I'm sorry, Alex. I haven't been there for you. I didn't realize that it was still bothering you. I should've known." Alex pulled away and looked Nikita in the eyes.

"Sam told you..."

"He shouldn't have had to, but, yes, he did. I know from what I've been through with Daniel that it'll be a rough road. Losing him helped me make up my mind to leave Division. It made me question a lot of things, but don't worry it'll get better for you. One day someone else will come a long and make you happy. You just have to let them," Nikita smiled.

"I think someone already has..." Alex returned the smile and walked out of the kitchen. Nikita stood there thinking. Sam. She smiled to herself. I knew it. They were perfect for one another.