Set between seasons 2 and 3. The team celebrates the 4th and get into an argument over a medal.

"These are our salads?" Skeptically, Alex looked at the spread of food in front of her. She had been excited to have a Fourth of July barbeque with the others- she had wanted to know what all the excitement was about- yet she was losing some of her enthusiasm then. Yes, getting away from the city, the crowds, and the fireworks by hiding out with her friends was still a fantastic idea. However, Alex didn't know how she felt about all the traditional foods the others had bought. The mayonnaise slathered 'salads' in particular was what threw her off. There was no way anyone actually ate those. They looked way too slimy, and way too yellow.

Nikita couldn't help but laugh at Alex. Honestly, it was kind of fun culture shocking Alex, especially with certain sour candies. One day, she'd have to let the young woman expose her to the Russian foods that hadn't made it across the ocean. In the meantime, Nikita would continue weirding Alex out with very American foods, "Yep. We've got a regular, leafy salad; potato salad; and macaroni salad. The classics."

"Don't forget Snickers," Ryan called as he entered the kitchen. There were already so many potato chip bags, veggie trays, fruit bowls, soda bottles, and cookie and brownie tins piled high in the kitchen (and there was even more food being grilled), but he had to add to it with a homemade dessert he had promised Nikita he'd make. It was difficult without his mother's input. But it was definitely worth it when he saw the excitement on Nikita's face.

"You actually brought it?" Ignoring Alex's deepening confusion and disgust, Nikita bounced over to Ryan. She had mostly joked about the Snickers and apple pudding-type dessert with Ryan; it was just a weird thing they had both eaten as kids. But she was absolutely thrilled that he had made it; then, they could subject the others to the strange desert. And maybe Nikita could form some good memories around the thing.

Although Alex could admit that the Snickers salad looked more appetizing than the potato and macaroni ones, she couldn't help but stare at it like it was some sort of alien creature. She was a firm believer of 'don't knock it until you try it'. But, she was absolutely going to mock those American foods even as she tried them.

Before she could say anything about the 'salads' then, however, Michael stuck his head back into the house they had rented for the holiday and called for her, "Hey, Alex. You wanna learn how to grill?"

"Yeah!" Excitedly, Alex hurried out of the food and drink laden kitchen. She was always looking for new things to learn how to cook. Nikita had eventually taught her how to make some vegetarian dishes, and Sean had taught her how to bake some desserts. Alex was getting pretty good around an oven and stove. What she hadn't quite mastered, however, was anything with too much flame; she was prone to burning, and a little bit of fire. Under Michael's guidance, though, maybe she could finally figure it out.

Michael mostly taught Alex how to flip and mind the burgers and hot dogs on the grill. He showed her how to adjust the heat and the propane, and how to turn it on and off; however, he didn't let her touch them. Even Alex agreed that was for the best.

The two stood around the grill for a while, aimlessly talking and cooking. Eventually, Nikita joined them outside with a plate full of veggie burgers. Michael glanced at her skeptically, "That enough veggie burgers?"

"I can share," Nikita smirked, then plopped the food on the grill. They were making enough food for a feast (and some leftovers). She figured some people might want to eat her burgers as well as the regular ones. She knew at least Alex wanted to try one, and Michael would eat anything she asked him to. The team could have some variety in their choices. Even if some of them (Birkhoff) were pretty predictable eaters.

Although Michael scoffed at his girlfriend- like she would ever share food- he complied with her wishes to make that much veggie burgers. Nikita continued to stay outside with Alex and Michael, joining their conversations and helping to grill. They were having a fun and relaxing time until a booming firework sounded in the distance. All three tensed at the sound, but Michael was particularly put on edge. He couldn't calm back down even after realizing there was no threat. Gently, Nikita patted his back, kissed his cheek, and gave him an excuse to go inside, "Why don't you go check on the corn. We got this."

Nodding silently, Michael stiffly moved inside. Nikita wasn't sure if he comprehended the fact that she had asked him to check on the corn on the cob boiling on the stove, but she was certain Sean would help him once he saw him. She ensured her boyfriend was alright, then she returned her attention to the grill. She had thought Alex would've been focused on the grill too, yet she was still trying to look inside the house. It didn't take Nikita long to figure out why. She smirked and nudged her best friend, "I'm sure Sean's fine too."

"I was checking on Michael," Alex rolled her eyes. Okay, she could admit that a part of her was trying to see if Sean was okay. With the team's horrific histories, fireworks were not their friends, especially the two Navy men who had lost loved ones to explosions. Although they knew the difference between fireworks, gunshots, and explosions, the sounds were close enough to set them on edge. None of them wanted panic attacks that night; that was why they had gotten away from the city. Unfortunately, they hadn't gotten far enough away. Hopefully, though, there were other ways to battle the sound and their nerves, "You think if we play loud music…"

"We'll be fine," Nikita promised with a small smile. Their distance and loud noises would drown out the fireworks. And if not, then the friends could calm each other down. The one good thing about everyone on the team being traumatized by guns and bombs was that they could help each other process their trauma. They all had tips and tricks that'd help each other. And they completely understood one another. The team of former rogues would make it through the holiday just fine.

By the time the women came back inside with trays full of burgers and hot dogs (they had Michael turn off the grill, and he was glad they did), everything was ready for the friends to sit, eat, and joke around. They gathered around the table with full plastic cups and paper plates, and excitedly talked over the music they had blasting over the speakers. There was no importance to their conversation. The friends simply shared the first things on their minds. That led to a lot of laughs and just as many eye rolls.

At some point, Sean noticed the cheap looking medal Birkhoff had around his neck. He couldn't help but laugh at the sight of it and snark, "Whatcha got there? A medal of honor?"

"What? Oh, no. I was playing around with my new 3D printer. A medallion seemed like the easiest thing," Birkhoff shrugged off Sean's attempt at a joke. The hacker had gotten a 3D printer for Division and had been messing around with the functions and settings. The best he had made so far was some sort of medallion that Sonya had said would look good on a ribbon (he had tried to invite her to the barbeque, but she hadn't wanted to celebrate the holiday). Of course Birkhoff had taken her advice and had thrown it around his neck. He was extremely proud of his creation and boastfully showed it off, "Looks pretty good, don't you think?"

Without much thought, and with a side glance to Alex, Sean reached over and stole the medal from around Birkhoff's neck. He had it around his own neck before the hacker could even react, and he showed off his prize proudly, "Yeah it does, Thanks for the honor, B."

"Uh, no. If anyone's getting an award, it's me," Ignoring the others' laughter, Birkhoff tried to take back the medal. He hadn't made it to reward himself. However, he would definitely take an award for what he had gone through during their war against Division. They were still in their ending phase- cleaning up the godawful place before they could be free. But Birkhoff would accept his prize then. It was, after all, well-deserved.

"Why should you be getting an award?" Alex pushed Birkhoff away from Sean. Yes, the whole team deserved awards for their service. But that was manifesting as pardons and real identities. A medal was a ridiculous trinket that none of them needed to know that they had saved the world. Though, Alex had to admit, Sean did look good with it on- almost as good as when he wore his decorated uniform.

"Cause I had to deal with the odd couple for a decade," Birkhoff ripped Alex from her train of thought by once again complaining about Michael and Nikita. He had more or less got his complaints out about living with the couple and feeling like an awkward third wheel at times. However, he would always taunt the two for how they had acted in Division. The drama and pinning and unsaid feelings had been unbearable to witness. Especially since they pretended that none of that had been going on.

"It hasn't been a decade," For some reason, Nikita just debated that point. There were far better ways she could've shut Birkhoff up, yet she was hung up on that fact. She and Michael hadn't been insufferable for that long. They had somewhat gotten their shit together before it had become too long. Didn't that count for something.

"I still had to put up with the most during your crusade. I need some kind of reward," Rolling his eyes, Birkhoff amended. However, the instant the sentence left his mouth, he regretted it. He had gone through a lot, but it was by no means the most. That title was definitely held by someone else.

The whole table erupted in arguments against Birkhoff's statement- there was even a slice of a tomato thrown at him (by Nikita). Alex's argument was the loudest and- objectively- the most correct, "Oh, you went through the most? Bullshit."

"That's right. Alex should deserve the medal. She deserves everything," Gently placing the medal around Alex's neck, Sean smiled at her. Her irritation with Birkhoff immediately dropped. She smiled back at Sean and leaned in her chair closer to him. That would've been the perfect moment for them to kiss; his hands were still brushing the skin on her neck, after all. If only it weren't for their friends around them. Their snide comments quickly burst their bubble.

"Of course you would say that," Michael nudged Sean with his foot under the table. Alex and Sean jerked away from each other, unable to hide their blushes as they returned to their food and drinks. The team, in turn, were unable to hide their snickers.

"Well, I think that the medal should go to the sexiest and most badass agent," Composing herself first, Nikita expertly snatched the medal from Alex. Everyone rolled their eyes and jeered as they thought that the former rogue meant herself. Except, she surprised everyone by placing the medal around Michael's neck. Nikita beamed at her boyfriend, and he kissed her sweetly. More eye rolls and jeers rose around the table.

"Gross," Alex and Birkhoff were the loudest and most articulate with their playful disgust with the couple. But having dealt with their comments for years, Nikita and Michael were able to ignore them easily.

"Shouldn't it go to you then?" After another loving kiss, Michael passed the medal to his girlfriend. The couple was far better at ignoring their friends as they had a sweet, adorable moment. They continued to kiss and touch one another like no one else existed.

"Gross!" Alex and Birkhoff threw napkins and crumbs that time to break Nikita and Michael apart. When food eventually hit her cheek, Nikita was quick to retaliate. Michael hastily stepped in before a food fight could break out. As much fun as that would be, no one wanted to spend their time cleaning. And no one wanted to be responsible for messing up a rental home.

When things finally calmed down and laughter quieted, Ryan couldn't stop himself from starting things up again by stating who he thought the medal should belong to- besides the person who had created it, "The medal should go to the person who started this all."

"That's right," Nikita proudly showed off the 3D printed medal sitting awkwardly on her chest. She was the reason they were all there, so she absolutely deserved a shiny award. Though, she'd prefer one better than the crude practice medallion Birkhoff had made.

"Alex," Smirking, Ryan completed his thought. Although it was true that Nikita was the original rogue, she wasn't why they were all there. Alexandra Udinov was.

"What?" Nikita shrieked in shock. The table erupted in laughter once more. Yet Nikita's focus wasn't on her friends, or even her boyfriend. She was narrowed in on the analyst and his wild and untruthful claim.

"If it wasn't for Alex, you would've never gone rogue," Ryan argued. He had said somewhat the same thing to Percy once. But he didn't need to revisit that conversation ever again. All he had to do was point out that Operation Pale Fire had made Nikita who she was. And, by extension, it made the rest of the team who they were. The crusade hadn't started when Nikita ran away from Division. It started the first time she ever disobeyed orders.

Laughing triumphantly, Alex reached to take back the medal. Nikita was too stunned to stop her; the young woman was able to get exactly what she wanted, "Damn right. Gimme that."

"Still going to the sexiest and most badass agent," As Alex put the medal back on, Sean muttered just to her. Well, he had wanted his flirt to only be heard by her. Unfortunately, he wasn't as quiet as he had thought. The whole table heard what he said. And the jokes and snickers started instantly.

"Gross," Nikita and Birkhoff echoed one another. Alex attempted to kick both of them in the shins. However, Nikita easily read her movements and moved out of the way. Only Birkhoff was struck. To pay Alex back, he glared at her and ripped the medal away, "I can't let you have this. Not after that. I've suffered enough."

"It wasn't easy living with you either," Michael huffed. The team should just agree that they were lucky to not live together anymore. Although it was perfect operation wise, living wise not so much. It was best for their friendships if they separated and took breaks from one another every once and a while. Too much of each other definitely got on their nerves. It was a wonder they never killed each other during their crusade. Though, there had been some close calls.

"If we're going with suffering because of where we lived, I think I deserve the medal," Ryan argued, yet he didn't reach for the medal. Others on the team had been locked in prison and had been trapped in Division before, after all. Though, none of them had been locked in a cell with Percy. Ryan had them beat there.

Although arguments could be made about suffering in prison, Division, and safehouses, no one could say they lived worse than in a cell with Percy- at least throughout the duration of the war against Division (before was a different story). Maybe Ryan should've gotten the medal. Except, Birkhoff held tightly to it. He still claimed that since he had made it, he should keep it. The 3D printed medallion showed off his incredible talents, after all. He deserved to flaunt it, "You know what, I made this, and I deserve this for all my impeccable work. I'm keeping it."

With plates empty and stomachs full, the fight for the medal had died out of everyone. They should simply return to easy conversations they didn't have to think too much about. However, glancing at the crudely made medallion around Birkhoff's neck, Nikita had to get one more quip in, just for her own satisfaction, "You look like a jackass."

"And you are a jackass," Birkhoff fired back instantly. All it took for Nikita to glare at him for him to want to take back his words. He prepared his shins for another kick.

"I don't think anyone should have this," Fortunately, Birkhoff was saved from further harassment by Michael. He took the medal and tossed it onto the table. No one should wear it; it should just be decoration. However, finally looking at it closely, Michael realized how rough of a first draft Birkhoff's use of the 3D printer was. The hacker definitely had to mess around with the technology more before he could even become somewhat proficient with it, "Man, you should absolutely practice with that 3D printer."

"Then we can all have one," Alex excitedly brought up her original idea. Only Sean and Ryan backed her up. Michael and Nikita made jokes about if everyone was special no one was. They obviously didn't put much weight into the saying. Yet it was fun to tease Alex with it.

"Don't bring that commie shit in here; it's our independence day," Birkhoff joked without thinking. Again, the second the sentence left his mouth, he regretted it. However, no arguments followed that time. Laughter erupted around the table, especially from Alex. Birkhoff continued to feel awful for his comment, even though he laughed with his friends, so he passed the Russian his brownie as a peace offering. She split it in two and shared it with him.

The team's laughter was soon cut short by the sound of fireworks breaking through their defenses. It was a vibrant set of explosions that was no doubt igniting the sky in beautiful colors. But the sounds left the rogues, agents, and soldiers shaken. Hands fell on each other comfortingly, and they all scooted closer together. When the sounds had died out, their ears couldn't stop ringing and their hearts couldn't stop racing. They needed more reassurance and comfort that it was all okay- that they were safe and sound and that there were no guns or bombs after them. After a long moment, Nikita finally had a suggestion, "Movie time?"

"Nothing with explosions," Sean immediately suggested as he got up to clear his plate from the table. No one objected to the idea. Action movies were off the table.

"I'm not watching one of those chick flicks," Clearing from the table as well, Birkhoff said 'no' to the idea before Nikita and Alex could suggest. Although they whined, they accepted the demand. The friends should watch something they all wanted to. Also, the women didn't want to hear Birkhoff annoyingly make fun of a movie.

"I feel like I don't need to say this, but no horror or suspense or whatever," Michael stated the obvious once he cleaned up his area of the table. If the team couldn't do bullets and explosions, then they certainly couldn't do blood and gore. They shouldn't do anything to make their anxiety worse. Which meant that they often avoided the horror genre.

"How about a documentary?" Throwing away his empty plate and cup, Ryan threw out an idea. It was immediately rejected, and not in a nice way. He rolled his eyes at all the taunts and name calling, "Fine then."

"Kids' movie?" Alex followed the other's example of cleaning her section of the table. The friends didn't have to watch a kids movie specifically. But one of those lighthearted or even stupid comedies that didn't require much thought seemed perfect for them at the moment. They could continue laughing and continue having the fun that cleared away their panic.

"I've got the perfect idea," The last to clear the table, and the first to start on cleaning the kitchen, Nikita beamed. She knew a great, simple comedy that was perfect for the group of friends. It was something she was certain most of them had seen before, so they could laugh and make jokes easily. They could also ignore the movie for a second to just talk and hang out. That was the kind of night they needed now that their crusade was over. The team of former rogues needed simple and sweet and perfect and each other. That was the best way to battle their lingering anxieties. And the best kind of award.