Recruitment Drive: Divisions

By Michael Weyer

A quick addition to my tale to fill out the other half of the "Nikita" equation and hit me as somewhat natural.

Washington D.C. hadn't changed much from her last visit. It was still rough, still tough, still filled with people who never meant what they really said and hiding secrets constantly.

Oddly, this made Alex feel much more at home.

She was adjusting to a life outside Division much better than one might expect. Of course, she had experience in the high-living lifestyle as part of her cover. Being a rich businesswoman and social advocate led to a high profile and Alex worked it well. But with Division finally gone, she had embraced that majorly, becoming a true fighter, not minding the attention as it helped her cause more.

Alex was calm as she exited the elevator and walked to her hotel suite, her professional blue business suit framing her attractive form but still smart enough to make her stand out. The conference had gone well, she was sure that more than a few members of Congress would be pushed to aid in her latest moves against human trafficking. Of course, the politics were secondary. Alex's main goal was to allow Birkhoff access to their private accounts. She knew at least three Senators and a Congressman were hiding info on such moves and needed to know more.

Of course, things in Washington were more hectic than ever before. Following the collapse of SHIELD and the revelation of Hydra, the Beltway was more abuzz than ever before. Several members of Congress had been arrested as Hydra agents or at least sympathizers and concern over more still in hiding was around. This caused the already fragile state of party politics to be nearly open warfare, although some surprising alliances were taking place as people scrambled to either protect their backs or take advantage of the opportunity.

Alex had seen plenty of both at the party, eavesdropping on conversations people thought the former party girl heiress knew nothing about. That Underwood character had rubbed her the wrong way, not even hiding his obvious lust for power. Alex doubted he was Hydra; Underwood struck her as the type who would consider such an organization beneath him. But he was someone to watch, someone willing to use this power shift to boost himself more. Alex knew that type very well too.

She entered her hotel, letting out a sigh as she slipped out of her heels. She walked past the large table and laptop, moving to the nearby mini-bar, located near the window offering a great view of the city. She calmly poured a glass of soda for herself, then plunged her hand into the ice bucket to pull out a Glock, spinning with it cocking to aim at the figure in the shadows. "Drop it."

"I'm not armed," replied a female voice in flawless Russian. She stepped into view, a gorgeous athletic redhead clad in a dark grey jumpsuit.

Alex blinked in surprise. "Natasha?" she asked, shifting to Russian herself.

The Black Widow nodded. "Alex. Been a long time."

"It has. Serbia, helping to bust that ring of smugglers."

"Going to lower the gun?"

"Maybe. I know you, after all so I know you're never unarmed."

Natasha shrugged. "Fine. You've improved by the way, sure I covered all the bases when I came in via the window rather than the door."

"You got two of the tripwires, missed the third."

"Compliments to your hacker."

"He doesn't need any more, he's full of himself as it is."

Natasha sat in a nearby chair as Alex moved over to face her. "Caught you at the party," Natasha began. "You seem to be adapting to a new life well."

"You can talk," Alex smirked. "First saving New York from aliens then testifying before Congress on destroying SHIELD? Not exactly the black ops type anymore."

The Widow shrugged. "Circumstances change. You know that."

"True." Alex finally lowered the gun. "Why are you here, Natasha? I know it's not to chat old times."

"I did find you important to touch on," Natasha said. "A former top operative for a rogue intelligence operation, now on her own and access to a fortune? That gets you on a lot of people's radars."

"You would know," Alex pointed out. "So, what, worried I'm with Hydra?"

"No. No, that wouldn't fit for you. Especially given your past with Division."

"Yeah, speaking of which…"

Natasha sighed. "I know, I know. Believe me, I already had this argument with Fury and Coulson. Let's just say, there were way too many cooks in the pot when it came to government agencies, we had bigger concerns on our plate. So, Percy was able to play a few politicians like violins and got as far as he did."

Alex mused over that. "I'd express doubts in you being honest but seeing as how you people failed to see a Nazi organization infiltrating you for 50 years…"

Natasha rolled her eyes. "Great, now we get to hear CIA, NSA and the rest mock us for that. Forget the times we saved the world…"

"Which Hydra wanted," Alex pointed out. "No good having the world end before they can take it over."

"True," Natasha had to admit. "As for why I'm here…It's for a friend of mine, Coulson. He's trying to rebuild SHIELD."

"Oh, no," Alex held up her hands. "I've been down that path already. I had to be with Nikita when she tried to put Division rights. It doesn't work out well, we know it."

"Nikita is actually on board."

Alex raised her eyebrow. "How'd you pull that one off?"

"Finding out Amanda was loose got her agreeing fast."

Alex's jaw dropped in shock. "What?! That bitch got out again?"

"She had help from Hydra. Looks like she's offering her services to them now."

Alex let out a sharp Russian curse. "Dammit, that miserable nutcase back in the game…"

Natasha nodded. "Yes. So Nikita has agreed and she actually already wondered about getting you to join. I volunteered to talk, figured you might be more open to me making the offer."

Alex let out a long breath. "What's it entail?"

"Your public persona is a major help," Natasha said. "You can make in roads with some politicians, smooth over edges and such. You also have contacts among the international community and insight to the various slave markets and other criminal powers."

Alex smirked. "And the fact I just happen to be filthy rich has no bearing, right? You forget, we went through this with Division. Your buddy is going to find out that a government budget doesn't go as long without the black-ops accounts to back it up."

Natasha smiled softly. "You always were a smart kid."

"I've grown now. I had to."

The smile faded. "That's something we always had in common. We never had a real childhood. Someone decided we were better off on a different path."

Alex tried to brush it off. "We've both got ledgers in red. We're both trying to balance the scales."

Natasha agreed. "I guess that's why it was better this coming from me. Someone who knew what you went through in every way and know you'd want to help the world out."

"Your boss is a smart man."

"He likes to think so. And he's a good one too. That's another reason I think you'll like working under him."

Alex rose up. "Give me his number, I'll call him right up."

"He'll call you." Natasha rose up, adjusting her suit

"Going out the window again?"

"No need." A button was pushed and with a shimmer, the suit adjusted itself to a stylish business suit. "Nice trick," Alex admired.

"We do have good toys," Natasha returned. She headed to the door. "Good luck."

"Same to you." Alex replied. "We do have a major advantage, you know."

"I do." The Black Widow nodded to her. "Russian steel is always the best."

She left as Alex moved to the closet, preparing to change. She couldn't help feeling a bit more excited at the idea of a mission, realizing it was far better than playing political meet-and-greet.

She was a survivor. And it was time she helped the world be one too.

Just a quick addition, thought Widow and Alex would be natural given their Russian backgrounds and common ground. Also, the Underwood referred to is Frank Underwood of the acclaimed U.S. version of House of Cards. Just a quick bit, Frank wouldn't stoop to working for Hydra but certainly take advantage of their chaos for his own benefit.