Alex, Nikita, Michael, and Birkhoff spent as much time as they could talking, gathering intel, and planning. The four worked well together. They fell into an easy rhythm, building off one another's ideas and relying on each other for information. Although Alex eventually had to leave the loft to return to Division, their time together was great for the team. The rogues continued to not have much in terms of intel, but they were closer and far more comfortable with one another. The team of rogues could continue to work well together as they moved along their way to get everything they wanted.
The four continued to meet to review their plans and information. They worked around Alex's schedule, as there were no active missions to prepare for; whenever she was free from Division, she'd run to the rogues. With their hacking skills, her tracker read that she was at her apartment. She felt freer than ever. However, there were still precautions to take. Communication was the main issue. One set of burner phones wasn't secure enough. They had to rotate them out. After a few weeks, Nikita had Alex come to the loft to do just that. She tossed the mole a new cell as soon as she entered, "Happy Valentine's Day. You can toss the old one in the river."
"Great. More pollution in the Hudson," Alex snarked. Yet she greatly accepted the new burner phone and plan regardless. For some reason, she had expected that helping the rogue agents would've been easier when she was on the outside of Division. She had believed a lot of things would've been easier when she didn't have Amanda or Percy looking over her shoulder. But the extra measures she had to take proved otherwise. She still had to work smarter and harder than anyone else. She knew it'd pay off, though. All of that couldn't be for nothing.
"And a new protocol too. I call your apartment, you hang up saying it's a wrong number, then you call from the burner," Nikita continued to update Alex on what she and the others had discussed. Birkhoff had secured that burner cell as well, but they still felt like they needed more precautions. Surprise pop-ins by another agent or a handler was standard for Division controlled apartments. The rogues didn't want to call Alex when she was having one of those visits. Their new protocol should be safer for her. She shouldn't be in more danger than she already was.
"Sounds good," Committing everything to memory (she'd have to memorize even more cell numbers, so she wouldn't have to risk writing anything down) Alex hid the phone in her purse. Nikita had moved to her computer after tossing the so-called 'Valentine's gift' and was staring at something intently. Alex still hadn't heard about a new mission from Division, so it couldn't be anything concerning that. Nikita must've been working on something on her own. However, as her mole moved to check it out, she only spotted street-cam footage of a chalk heart on a mailbox. She couldn't make sense of that, no matter how hard she tried, "What's that?"
"Ryan Fletcher. We set up a way for him to drop me a discrete line whenever he has intel," Nikita replied immediately, if not a bit distracted. She texted Michael and Birkhoff the update just to keep them in the loop, but she didn't expand or start initiating a plan. She honestly had no clue what Ryan had to tell her. Since he was being watched by both the CIA and Division (and he was only an analyst) it wasn't wise to give him the same kind of burner as Alex. He and Nikita needed a more clandestine way to communicate. After they had set one up, Nikita didn't think he would use it so soon. Maybe he was more than just an analyst.
While Nikita was lost in thought, Alex smirked. The two had grown closer over the months they had been working together. They might not have had the frightening ability to read one another's minds like Michael, Nikita, and Birkhoff (mostly Michael and Nikita), but the two women could read each other's expressions well. Alex was certain something was going on between the CIA analyst and the rogue. Even while Nikita crossed the loft to prepare a weapon for the meet, the young woman could see her briefly smiling. She couldn't help but chuckle quietly to herself, "A heart, huh? So are you guys… connecting?"
"We're both trying to bring down Division," Nikita readied her pistol as she glared at Alex. It wasn't difficult to catch her innuendo. 'Connection' was Division's phrase for outside relationships. The team of rogues had made fun of the word choice a few times- Alex was no exception. So, with her limited information about what had happened between Ryan and Nikita on their missions together, the young agent easily made a quip about their relationship. And she easily got a rise out of the other woman. Alex smiled smugly despite the intimidating rogue and her gun. Nikita huffed and rolled her eyes.
That annoyance was definitely an expression Alex wanted to explore more of. She remembered Nikita responding in kind to her irritated comment concerning men. Maybe it had something to do with Ryan Fletcher. Or, maybe it had to do with Michael. Nikita and Michael were far closer than any of the other rogues. Alex was able to notice that in the few meetings she had had with them. It was way more likely that something was going on between them, "Uh huh. And you and Michael aren't…"
"What about you and that neighbor? Which one was it? Sean or Nathan?" Before Alex could make any kind of accusation, Nikita hastily interrupted. She didn't need Alex (and certainly not Birkhoff) knowing about her situation with Michael. They hardly had a term for it or any grasp on it. They didn't need the others making their own assumptions or- God forbid- butting in. Besides, the rogues had other concerns to occupy themselves with. Nikita and Michael were. The others had to as well.
"Definitely not Sean," Alex mumbled. She couldn't get a handle on that guy. One minute, he was her friendly, funny, normal neighbor. The next, he was studying her far too intently for comfort. She didn't like it. She felt as though that he knew her better than she knew herself. With what she was trying to achieve, that wasn't good. She needed to keep herself away from him, and not simply because of the uncertain feelings she experienced while around him. If Alex kept her distance from someone who might've had the ability to read her like a book, then they could stay safe. Sean wouldn't be another victim of the destruction she brought.
Nathan wouldn't be either. However, Alex had a more difficult time wanting to separate herself from him. He was just so nice to her. No matter what she did, he always tried to be her friend and include her. He didn't seem to be judging her or sizing her up like Sean. He was just a sweet and normal guy. She couldn't help but want to be around him. She wanted the peace, comfort, and distraction from the problems he brought. Alex knew it was a bad idea. She had to keep her distance from Nathan. She just had to constantly remind herself and be reminded of the cost, "Connecting's bad for us, right?"
"Not just for us. Innocent people will get hurt too," Nikita responded softly; her voice was barely above a whisper as she admitted the fact. Although agents might've felt so powerful that they were above the entire world, breaking a Division rule meant death. The agent could be right in assuming they were powerful. Amanda and Percy could deem them too worth to lose. But their loved ones certainly weren't. Nothing could be done to save them. Emily, Daniel, so many others, they were lost to Division. And all they dared to do was love a monster. A lack of connection meant no more had to die just because of who they foolishly fell for.
"Happy Valentine's Day. It's for all three of you," Pulling out a small box from her purse, Alex smiled gently. She wanted nothing more than to keep having that discussion with Nikita. She wanted to explore the pain in the rogue's comment and express her own thoughts on the matter. Instead, she presented the artisan chocolates she had bought for her team and prepared to leave. Neither woman had the time to delve deep into that conversation. Nor did they have the strength. It was better for them to express the small act of friendship and go about their day.
After Alex went to check in with Division and do some grocery shopping, Nikita left to rendezvous with Ryan. They already had an established meeting place at the park. She simply had to head over there and meet him, no doubt he was already waiting for her. Yet that was all the easy part. She also had to shake away hers and Alex's heavy conversation and get her head on straight. That took a lot longer than Nikita would've liked to admit. Yet she needed to pay attention to the next big thing. Obviously, whatever Ryan had for her was important. She needed to give it her full attention- and snark, "You couldn't wait to use the Bat Signal, huh?"
"Apparently getting bumped to the basement wasn't a terrible thing after all," Ryan startled at Nikita's sudden appearance (how did she keep doing that) yet he soon settled himself. Although he was punished with the basement archives, he had actually discovered something of interest. Nikita needed to know about it. If anyone had the power to do something about it, it'd be her, "I picked up some chatter about a weapons dealer turning over a dirty bomb to the CIA. His deal with his contact turned south; he turned on the agent. I need your help bringing him and the bomb in before things get worse."
"Who's the guy?" Nikita wondered. She had thought Ryan would've had something Division related for her. He appeared so urgent, she believed he had a lead on some Division ending information. A dirty bomb in the hands of a criminal and making its way to the country was awful too, she guessed. Besides, there was a chance Division could've ruined the deal and not the weapons dealer. Nikita doubted it. Yet she could still humor Ryan. A new mission would at least take her mind off of recent morose thoughts.
"Emil Voss," Ryan began to read the information he had managed to gather on the weapons dealer. Voss had been on the CIA's radar before, yet a classified mission took down his operation and landed him in prison. His sentence wasn't for long, and he was back out in the criminal world making deals. He had eventually made one with the CIA. But why exactly he would do that only to turn was a mystery to Ryan. He hoped Nikita and the rogues could help him understand. However, Nikita didn't seem to be able to handle his intel. As soon as he had said Voss, she froze. She also appeared as though she was going to be sick, "Do you know him?"
Ryan gently approached Nikita. He didn't like that she had gone so pale. He knew he had been taking a risk bringing her information that wasn't directly tied to Division, but he hadn't expected that kind of reaction from her. He was missing some vital piece of information. He hoped it wasn't anything too serious. Though, when it came to their crusade, that would never be an option. Nikita's hollow voice expressed as much when she finally replied, "Yeah. I'm the one who put him in jail. Guess he's out now."
Nikita didn't pay attention to Ryan's reaction. Her thoughts were too consumed with the last time she had seen Emil Voss. It was another one of her many raven protocol missions that she abhorred. She hated what was done to her in the name of an operation. What she hated more, however, was that she soon realized the only way to get Voss was to slip into that mission's role. He'd trust her cover, and she could turn on him once more. The idea hurt, but it was all she had, "I can bring him in. The cover I used should still be intact. And I'll have Michael and Birkhoff look into his deal with the CIA. I don't think Voss is completely to blame for it going south."
"Are you sure? I know this isn't directly Division related. You don't have to do this. I can find another way," Ryan wasn't exactly sure if he could find another solution. The CIA weren't looking at the same angle he was. The dirty bomb would make its way into the country if the rogues weren't the ones to stop it. Except, Nikita didn't appear up for the mission. Whatever happened to her the last time she had seen Voss didn't seem to be something she could easily get over. Ryan didn't want to force her into a situation she wasn't comfortable with.
"No. I have to do this," Nikita just shook her head, however. She didn't want to see Voss again. She didn't want to perform another seduction mission. But there was no other choice. To get to the arms dealer after what happened to his CIA contact, she'd have to be someone he could feel safe with. A former lover would fit the bill. It could also keep Voss distracted while Michael and Birkhoff dug more into what had happened. Nikita had wanted a distraction from hers and Alex's conversation, and there she had one. For the sake of getting a dirty bomb off the black market and into safe hands, she had to subject herself to the worst.
Struggling with her bags of groceries, Alex tried to fit her key in the lock. She thought she could carry her load from the car to her apartment without any problems. Unfortunately, she had seriously overestimated herself. The bags were going to spill their contents all over the hall before she could even open her door. She should just admit defeat and set some of her things down. However, at that point, that might cause her to spill as well. Alex was stuck. But only for a second. Spotting her as he was leaving his apartment, Nathan quickly came to her rescue. He grabbed a bag with a chuckle, "Whoa. You think you got enough marshmallow fluff?"
"Have you had this stuff with peanut butter? It's amazing," Alex beamed. She was well aware that she should've been more responsible with her grocery shopping. She was actually living in her apartment, so she needed actual food. However, she wasn't much of a cook. She never really learned her way around a kitchen. And concerning all the things she had to do for and against Division, she didn't have time to learn then. It was easy to just order out and keep snacks at home. She certainly had the money for that. She could have all the fluffernutter sandwiches- all the comfort food- she wanted.
"Yeah. I've had a fluffernutter sandwich," Laughing, Nathan followed Alex into her unlocked apartment. He set the bag he was carrying on the same counter she set hers, and he began to help her unload them. Despite her attempts to dissuade him- she had it- he insisted he keep helping her. The six jars of marshmallow fluff she had bought intrigued him, after all. He wanted to see what other food Alex enjoyed. All Nathan found her surgery snack foods, however. She didn't have anything substantial, "Did you only get junk?"
"Well, I'm not the best cook in the world. Best to just order in," Alex shrugged. That was partially the truth, so she figured it was a good answer. Both Amanda and Nikita had told her to try to be as truthful as possible while lying. It was more believable that way. It would also help her live the lie until it became her life. She had quite enough experience with that in the brothels and on the streets. But the half-truths she got to share that let her be more of herself were strange. She needed to get used to being herself again. When she killed Semak, maybe she could claim part of that life back. She could be Alexandra instead of just Alex.
"You know, I can teach you. I know a great homemade pizza recipe. It'll at least keep you actually fed," Nathan's suggestion soon returned Alex to the moment. He smiled at her warmly, the slight tease in his words making his dark eyes shine. For a second, she was mesmerized by the look. It was so genuine and kind and adoring, that she felt as though she could dreamily close the distance between her and Nathan. Thankfully, the counter and her groceries stopped that from happening. Alex soon snapped out of her daze and remembered herself.
"I don't…" Alex started to protest. She had just talked to Nikita about making connections with innocent people. She shouldn't do it. She shouldn't have Nathan making pizza in her apartment like it was some kind of date. It was too dangerous. Alex knew how dangerous getting close to someone could be. She didn't want anyone else to suffer because of her. She also didn't want her mission to be affected by the wrong person getting involved. Alex had to start drawing a line between herself and her neighbors. It was the right thing to do.
However, Alex had hung out with Nathan, Sean, and others without any consequences. She had grown closer to the rogues, and they were all doing great. Maybe getting close that time wouldn't be detrimental. She had learned from her mistakes. She knew what she could get away with and what she couldn't. After all, she was playing Division, twisting her deal with them, and no one knew. She could have close friends (maybe even a date) without anyone getting hurt that time. Didn't she deserve the kind of peace that brought her. She could relax between all her planning. She could smile easily with Nathan and breathe, "Alright. Let's do it tonight."