Set after 2x18 "Power". Michael and Alex continue their brief conversation about Zetrov and her father.
"Да, Мама. All we have to do is live our lives. We don't have to worry about money or anything else," Pacing around the safehouse, Alex explained the situation to her mother. She had caught Sean up on the team's successful operation, mostly telling him he was free to come home. There was no threat to her mother's life anymore. Ari and Amanda were gone. Zetrov was no longer corrupt. Everything was right in the world. Alex and her mother could be free.
It didn't exactly feel like that to Alex, however. Whereas her mother instantly wanted to celebrate and asked if she would be joining her in Greece, Alex felt as though something was missing. Despite the fact that she finally got revenge for what happened to her family, she didn't feel completely satisfied with the operation. It was almost like she hadn't quite done what she was supposed to. Maybe it was just exhaustion that made her feel like that. If she actually let herself relax, things could be better.
Once she hung up the phone, all Alex wanted to do was sleep. She hadn't been able to doze off on the plane from Moscow, and her sleep schedule had been screwed up ever since. She needed to just lie down and pass out. However, she didn't want to do that alone. She wanted to be with her friends- remind herself that she never had to be alone again. So, Alex trudged off to Nikita's room. She had seen her best friend disappear there a while ago. Chances were she was napping. If Alex crawled into bed with her, maybe Nikita would let her sleep with her- like they did after horrible nightmares, "Can I nap with you?"
"Sure. But it might be a bit weird," Michael's sleepy heavy voice replied as Alex collapsed on the bed. When he had heard the door open, he thought it was Nikita. Since he hadn't slept on the plane, he ended up falling dead asleep as soon as he laid down to rest. He guessed he had missed the sounds of his girlfriend coming home, and she had decided to slip into bed with him. The fact that it was actually Alex surprised him.
"I thought you were Nikita," Instantly, Alex shot upright in the bed. She wouldn't have collapsed on the mattress if she knew Michael was next to her; though, how she confused him with Nikita, even she didn't know. She must've been far more exhausted than she thought.
"Are you that tired?" Rolling over and turning on the bedside lamp, Michael attempted to shake the sleep off of him. He should probably wake up anyway. Sleeping too long wouldn't fix his ruined cycle; that was the price to pay after overseas missions. He should move around and be active until a reasonable bedtime. Then, he could actually sleep with Nikita.
Nodding, Alex tried to wake up (and hide her embarrassed blush). She rubbed her eyes and cheeks and sat up straighter on the bed. She definitely should've paid more attention to who was actually slumped in the bed. Even in the dark, Michael and Nikita could be told apart. Alex swore, though, that Nikita went into her room and never came out. She probably missed her leaving when she was on the phone. If that was the case, where could she have gone while her boyfriend slept, "Where is she?"
"Grocery shopping with Birkhoff," Michael sighed. Nikita and Birkhoff were the only ones who had managed to rest on the plane. Birkhoff could usually sleep anywhere, and getting asphyxiated drained all of Nikita's energy. So while exhaustion caught up to Alex and Michael, the other two were perfectly fine. They decided to replenish their diminished supply of food and toiletries to let their friends rest. If Michael had been more awake, he would've gone with them.
"You sent those two to get food together?" Alex voiced Michael's exact concern with the idea. Birkhoff and Nikita had the worst eating habits on the team. Both snacked instead of eating a real meal. If they went grocery shopping together, then they were just going to buy a whole bunch of snack foods mixed with fruits and vegetables. The rogues would still be out of food.
"We're probably still going to get takeout tonight," Chuckling, Michael admitted. The team lived off of takeout. Grocery shopping was usually their attempt to be healthier while they actually bought toiletries and other necessities. Fortunately, they had the money to be constantly buying food. Birkhoff had raked in some serious cash when he was a world famous hacker. And then they had an heiress on their side, "Or you can buy, Ms. Udinov."
Alex didn't laugh as much as Michael. She barely cracked a smile. He began to think that she was more than just tied. Something was weighing heavily on her mind. Maybe it was related to her phone call with her mother. Michael knew Alex continued to struggle with that relationship. Yet with Zetrov gone, the two could grow closer together. That was what he'd do, "What are you going to do with all that money? Join your mom in island paradise?"
"You and Nikita going to find an island of your own too?" Turning away from Michael, Alex deflected. She knew how obvious her aversion was, but she really didn't want to talk about what came next. Her mother had already asked that, and she still didn't have an answer.
"Why the brush off?" Concerned, Michael tried to regain Alex's attention. Sure, he avoided the same question directed at him- visualizing their futures in the middle of a war was always difficult. But he wasn't the one who was so visibly upset. Alex had been since she watched Levkin's first press coverage as CEO of Zetrov. Despite all the assurance, even the ones she made to herself, something about that still had her worried. Michael wanted to know what that was, "You still worried about Zetrov?"
"You think that since you were my handler you know me so well?" Alex finally hopped off the bed. That wasn't fair of her to say. But pushing Michael away could make him drop the subject. Besides sleep, that was all she wanted.
Unfortunately for Alex, Michael followed her. While she stomped out into the hall, he hurried to catch up with her. They were definitely having that conversation then. Once he calmed her down at least, "Absolutely. I know everything. Your favorite color's pink."
"It's hot pink, actually," Despite herself, Alex whirled around and responded. Really, she liked all shades of pink. Yet that wasn't the point. She shouldn't have engaged with Michael's statement, no matter how much she wanted to show him up. He only smirked at her response. There was his opening for a conversation.
"Oh. Excuse me," Michael didn't take it right away, however. He wanted to tease Alex, get her to lighten up. Although she didn't laugh, she did slouch against the wall and look at him. He moved to slouch next to her, and he gently bumped his shoulder against hers, "What about Zetrov is bothering you?"
Twisting the ends of her hair around her finger, Alex sighed. There was no use escaping that conversation. It would only come up again, potentially when her thoughts and emotions were so twisted up they might break. She should speak her mind then, especially since Michael was so willing to listen and help, "Ilya will be a great CEO. He's already dismantling all the corrupt structures and building the company back up. And my mom and I are set for life between inheritances and company shares…"
"But?" As soon as Alex dropped off her sentence, Michael prompted her to continue. He had known all that already. It was a part of the conversation they had had when he caught her watching Ilya Levkin on the news. He had thought she was holding back from the discussion then, but he didn't push for more. That time was different, though. He wasn't going to let her thoughts overwhelm her.
Their previous conversation, or lack thereof, already covered what Alex felt terrible about. Michael had already comforted her about her decision. Except, she still felt like it wasn't right. No matter what anyone said, she believed she had made a terrible decision. It wasn't what her father wanted, after all, "My papa always wanted me to take over Zetrov. I know what I did was the right choice. And you said he'd be proud of me. But I can't help feeling like I'm still letting him down by handing over control. I'm not the daughter he wanted."
"Hey. No. You battled corruption. You found someone who'd lead Zetrov well. You destroyed evil and got your revenge. All you have done is help people. You kept the heart your parents gave you, despite everything. You're amazing, Alex. Your father could never be disappointed in you. You'd always be his daughter," Michael was quick to try and change Alex's mind. Not living up to the expectations her father had placed on her when she was young didn't diminish how awesome she was. In fact, Michael would go as far as to say that she exceeded her father's expectations. Alex constantly did amazing things, showing off her incredible strength and heart. No one could be disappointed in that, especially not a father.
Michael knew that if Hayley had gotten to grow up, and she had become as strong, compassionate, smart, and awesome as Alex, he'd brag about her everywhere; he'd be so proud. He was that proud of Alex and she wasn't his daughter. Michael considered telling her that thought. But he was certain she already knew that. Besides, that wasn't the kind of comfort she wanted. He should share his first thought with her. It would, without a doubt, mean more, "If my daughter grew up to be just like you, I'd be incredibly proud."
"You'd be proud no matter what your kids did," Alex battled the tears that pooled in her eyes with a dismissive comment. She had no doubt that Michael was being completely sincere with her. It was a big deal for him to mention his children (and to talk that much). The sentiment meant so much to Alex, that it made her heart swell. However, she really didn't want to break down into tears at that moment. She'd rather make stupid jokes instead.
"Exactly. That's how fathers are," Nudging Alex with his shoulder again, Michael smiled. She cracked a small smile, yet that wasn't enough for him. He pushed at her harder until she stumbled off the wall. That got her to break into uncontrollable giggles. He smiled wider.
"Not Nikita's," Once she was able to compose herself, Alex just had to say. After all, if Nikita was there, she would've made a snide comment about her time in foster care. She loved being the exception, just like Alex loved being a contradiction.
"Fuck that," Rolling his eyes, Michael harshly pushed off the wall. Alex burst into laughter. It was mostly due to shock. Michael didn't cuss like that. He usually had more control over himself. Yet, that was just the effect Nikita had on him. Even allusions to her past had her boyfriend reacting strongly. It made Alex wonder if she'd ever have a relationship like that.
Just as quickly as that thought jumped to Alex's mind, she shook it away. She had had too many heavy thoughts that day; she didn't need more. Thankfully, she could distract herself by following Michael to the living room. The two could continue their conversation if it meant she didn't have to think about relationships- or who that relationship might be with. Alex had some questions she wanted to ask Michael, anyway. That moment seemed like the perfect time to bring them up, "What's your dad like?"
Abruptly, Michael paused. He should've expected Alex to ask him about his father. He knew so much about her family, but she didn't know anything about his. He only talked to Nikita about his family. It was probably time he began to change that. There was no need for him to keep his life a secret, "He was great. He encouraged me. He helped me with whatever I needed, even when I was too stubborn to ask. And I always knew he loved me, no matter what I did."
"Is he dead?" Alex couldn't stop herself from blurting. Michael never talked about his family. If he ever did, it was just about his late wife and daughter- and even that was in vague terms. Alex always felt like she was playing catchup when it came to his past. Any chance to learn more about him, she'd immediately take. They were friends, after all. They should know about their families.
"Both my parents died when I was in the Navy. 'Don't smoke, kid. It's bad for you'," Repeating the words his parents would ironically tell him, Michael shrugged. The only family he had left before Division was Hayley and Elizabeth. Fortunately, though it took a long time, he had started to grow a new family. And it was just as great and loving.
"I think I already learned that lesson," Alex laughed. Michael chuckled with her. That was a fair reply. No one had to worry about her beginning to smoke. She had far brighter things in her future than that.
Before Michael could bring up the topic of their futures again, loud noises came from the garage. Birkhoff and Nikita were back from the store. Alex and Michael were about to be greeted by chaos. Nikita's shout alone emphasized that, "Come help with the groceries!"
Rather than move to help, Alex and Michael began to think of ways to taunt Nikita and Birkhoff for their eating and shopping habits. Except, as Nikita passed by, Alex recognized an all too familiar white jar sticking out of the bag. She quickly became too excited for sarcastic quips, "Is that marshmallow fluff?"
Instantly, Alex hurried after Nikita to see all the wonderful things she and Birkhoff bought. She continued to let them carry in the bags. She preferred to dig through the contents instead as she pretended to put them away. Whereas Nikita only rolled her eyes at Alex, Birkhoff huffed. He shoved her as he walked past, "I'm not eating fluffernutter sandwiches for dinner."
Birkhoff and Alex soon dissolved into a bickering match. Michael and Nikita ignored them. He took a load of groceries off her hands and stole a kiss from her lips. She melted into the affection for just a moment, then moved to grab more bags from the car. Michael grinned after her. When the shouting in the kitchen became too much, however, he sighed and went to diffuse the argument, "We can just make our own sandwiches."
After a moment of debate- and some input from Nikita about what was actually bought- it was decided that they'd make their own food for dinner. However, once their individual meals were ready, they'd eat together and talk. The team had been running around all over the place lately. It was about time they settled. Doing so together seemed like the perfect option.
