Nikita finally caught up to Michael in the carport. He was stomping towards their car, absolutely livid. His aim for the rest of the night was probably to go home, barely eat, hardly sleep, and stew in his anger. Despite her own rage simmering, Nikita couldn't allow her husband to do that. They couldn't let things like that fester inside them; it'd only make it worse. They had to constantly try to express their thoughts and feelings. After recent events, the team should've learned that. Their war couldn't tear them apart. If they remained strong, their enemies wouldn't stand a chance. They might be able to end things if they always communicated, "Michael, wait."
Michael didn't stop. He climbed into the driver's seat of their car and started the engine. Nikita was quick to hop into the vehicle beside him. Before he could shift the gear into drive, she twisted and pulled the keys out of the ignition. It wasn't her smartest move. But he couldn't just drive away. They needed to keep talking. Even if it was only a rant, he had to say something. No more holding onto things. It was always better just to shout, "I cannot believe Ryan. What kind of power trip is he on that he determines what information should be shared and what shouldn't. You're my wife. You were hurt. That's not information you keep from someone."
"I hid Kosovo and Heidecker from you," Nikita shrugged. Michael glared. That wasn't the same situation at all- at least not to him. However, the same sentiment applied. The team lied to protect each other. It wasn't the best method in the world; they often still wound up hurt and in paint. But they continued to try to save one another. No one could fault them for that, no matter how awful their strategies or how angry it made them. The team cared so much. Sometimes, that was enough, "Look. I'm not defending Ryan. I just understand what he did."
"Keeping secrets isn't protecting anyone," Michael reiterated what the team had just gone over. It didn't make sense why they had to keep having that conversation. They had been a team for years. Their lack of communication had gotten them into trouble countless times before. They should've learned from their mistakes and moved on, been better. When they had decided to run Division, capture the Dirty Thirty and shut down the black ops unit for good, they promised to be better. The mistakes they had made as rogues wouldn't repeat themselves. Months in, however, the team hadn't made any real changes. In fact, they might have been worse.
Sighing, Nikita gently grabbed Michael's hand. The conversation the team had had in Ryan's office wouldn't be a one-off. She'd promise that. They'd fix their communication, and they'd end their war. Though, that wouldn't exactly happen while Michael continued to hold resentment for Ryan. Yes, what he did wasn't right. But he had had his reason- just like Nikita had when she went to Kosovo alone. It was irritating, but it made sense, "I know. I know. But you were on a mission against Amanda. You could've been distracted, and you and Alex could've gotten hurt. Ryan was just trying to protect you in his own messed up way."
"That's still something you tell someone. You shouldn't have been alone," Clutching his wife's hand, Michael shook his head. He knew Nikita hadn't truly been alone. Birkhoff had watched out for her, and Sonya had stayed with her. Regardless, Michael couldn't just forgive Ryan for his actions. Nikita was his wife. He had to protect her, support her, comfort her. He needed to know if she was hurt or in danger, no matter the circumstance. Ryan didn't get to dictate what others knew and when. He wasn't Percy.
"Alright, fine. You were in the Navy. Sean's about to deploy. If something happens to Alex while he's away, would you call him immediately? He can't do anything for her while he's gone. And you could be distracting him, putting him, a potential mission, and his team in danger. So, would you risk that, or would you wait?" Nikita dared Michael to contradict her. Although she didn't like to think about anything disastrous happening to Alex, she had to make a clear point. They wouldn't do anything to endanger Sean or his Seal team while he was away. Any information that'd need to be passed along to him would have to wait for the opportune moment.
Unable to argue, Michael hung his head and sighed. He wanted to say that he wouldn't withhold information from Sean, especially about Alex. But if Sean was on a mission with the Seals, he wouldn't distract him. It was basically a no-win situation. One just had to do what was best for the most people. While Michael forced himself to come to grips with that, Nikita kissed his knuckles. He barely reacted to the affection. So, she gently caressed his cheek and dangled the car keys in front of his face. Once his green eyes connected with her brown, she smiled softly. He couldn't help but return the grin, "Let's just go home. Okay?"
"Okay," The married couple kissed, as the keys were passed over. Michael started the car again, and the two finally left Division. Neither said much as they drove. At one point, Nikita texted Ryan, stating that the two were going to take off for a few days to rest and talk. But that was about it. Michael and Nikita would rather just be while they drove home. They could enjoy one another's company and be happy that they were together. Everything else would be handled and discussed after food and rest. For the moment, the couple could just focus on each other.
As she got into her car to head home, Alex checked her phone for any messages she might've missed. She had Sean had been texting on and off since they had separated. He was focused on his family, and she was trying to save the day. She had wanted to call him once she was back in Division, yet the team took precedence. It wasn't until she had broken away from them that she thought of her boyfriend again. Checking her phone, she saw that he had called her. She didn't hesitate to call back, "Hey, Sean. Sorry I missed your call. I've been busy."
"Are you on another mission?" Closing the door to his sister's guest room so he could have some privacy, Sean asked. Alex had texted him updates about what had occurred in Kosovo. She had said that Nikita rushed into a dangerous situation alone, and the Alpha team had to help her. Then, Alex had explained that their help resulted in the assassination of Kosta Bechiraj. After that, the last thing Sean had heard was that the team was back in Division and talking. He had assumed that the worst was over. Yet, if Alex's exhausted tone, that was far from true. They must've been called out on a Dirty Thirty mission. It just never stopped.
"No. Just… stuff has been happening in Division," Alex sighed. The lack of communication amongst the team was an ongoing battle. They'd have to keep fighting and talking until everything was right. However, that wasn't what she was stressed about. She knew they'd be on solid ground soon. What concerned her were the blue files that the President had given Ryan. They had sworn not to become weapons for the government to use and toss aside again. They were more than that. The agents were their own people who deserved a real life. That wasn't going to happen with blue files, just capturing Dirty Thirties.
"Amanda?" Sean guessed. Division hadn't heard from her since their failed attempt to kill her. There was no way she was actually lying low. Amanda was up to something. It was just a matter of time before her evil plans revealed themselves. Since Sean hadn't heard anything else from Alex, he didn't think things were that drastic yet. Hopefully, the team had only managed to get ahead of Amanda and were planning another kill mission. That'd be the ideal situation anyway. They needed to finally end her reign of terror.
"No. Trying to resolve team drama and just…" Before she could finish her sentence, Alex stopped herself. She shouldn't be relaying everything to Sean over the phone, especially as she was driving. Although he had to know about what had happened in Kosovo and the resulting files, it should be saved for a face to face conversation. There was too much to cover and far too much to figure out; a phone call wouldn't suffice. But the two could check in on each other. They could focus on other things besides Division. Their lives outside of that hellhole shouldn't suffer because of it, "How's everything on your end?"
"Seems a lot better than your end," Chuckling lightly, Sean attempted to joke. It didn't land well. Alex didn't even react. He could excuse her driving as her lack of response. She had placed the call on speaker, so he could hear the sounds of the traffic as she made her way home. However, even if she was focused on the road, she would've made some sort of acknowledgement of his terrible quip. Instead, she was too lost in her own head. Her thoughts had overtaken her and tore her away from everything else.
Sean wished he could be with his girlfriend in person. If he was in the car with her, he'd soothe her worry with a gentle touch and a loving kiss. Unfortunately, he was miles away. All he really had to comfort her and help her relax was his words. It could be enough for the moment. But for the long run, he had to be with her. His niece and nephew were on the mend. He could leave his sister's in the morning and be with Alex. She needed him at the moment more than they did. It almost seemed like a cycle by that point- who needed his strength the most. But he didn't mind. He'd always be there for those he loved, "I'll be home soon, and we'll talk all about it."
"When do you deploy?" Alex blurted. Sean hadn't given her an exact date of when he would be leaving, simply that he was leaving soon. She needed to know, however. She had to know how much time she had left to spend with her boyfriend before war separated them. They had always been fighting together (save for a few months at the very beginning). It would be so weird to not be at each other's side, watching each other's backs. They'd have different partners and different objectives. They wouldn't be a complete team.
"A couple weeks. We have plenty of time together, don't worry," Softly, Sean reassured. Alex wasn't going to lose him for a while. They had time to be together, talk, and learn to adjust to where their lives were taking them. It'd be alright. It wasn't as though they'd be separated forever. They could Skype each other, talk on the phone, write letters. And the next time he was on leave, he'd run straight for her arms. His deployment wouldn't be the end of the world. After all, he and Alex could continue their relationship. As long as they had each other, everything else would be okay. Sean was certain of it.
"It's hard not to," Alex, on the other hand, needed a little more convincing. Fortunately, Sean remained on the line with her, sharing with her all his optimistic thoughts. They weren't quite enough to soothe her, but talking to her boyfriend did put a smile on her lips. It grew into a brilliant beam and even a laugh when he changed the topic to his family. Since comfort would be better in person, distraction was the way to go for the rest of the phone call. Sean told her stories of his niece, nephew, and sisters, and Alex laughed and joked at every one. It was the perfect way to end the night. The two could be happy and in love, instead of anxious and in despair.
As soon as Birkhoff saw Sonya waiting for him by the car to go home, he rushed up to her and gave her a huge kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and held her as close as possible. He had been the last one to leave Ryan. Though, he didn't do so silently. Birkhoff made a parting shot about the files, then left to be with his girlfriend. Relief and joy washed over him the instant he saw her. He couldn't wait to escape Division with her. She was excited to go home too. But she was more confused about the seemingly random kiss. Regretfully, she pulled away from her boyfriend and tried to understand his thoughts, "What was that for?"
"Just glad we talk," Birkhoff smiled against Sonya's lips. Honestly, he was more than just glad that he and his girlfriend talked to one another. He was absolutely thrilled that he had someone in his life to love and cherish and who loved and cherished him in return. They could relax together after a rough day- like that one. And they could be sources of constant comfort and support. Birkhoff had to kiss Sonya again. She needed to know everything he felt for her but couldn't express in words. She didn't hesitate to return the affection and devotion.