Alex felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She listened for a moment, and replied quietly, "I'll be right there."

She looked over at Maggie, who was holding the sleeping girl in her arms. "J'onn has some information on her," she said. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Take your time, Danvers," Maggie said. "She's out like a light."

Half an hour later, a shaken-looking Alex returned to her quarters. She was pleased to see that the girl was still asleep, on her own in the bed this time, while Maggie sat drinking coffee on the couch. Maggie looked up at her. "Bottom-line it for me," her words were abrupt, but were tempered by the soft touch on Alex's arms.

Alex took a deep breath, pushing the hair out of her face. "It's not pretty," she tried to keep her voice even.

"It rarely is. C'mon. Sit," she patted the couch.

Alex sat, and flipped open the manila folder that she held. "Her name is Addison Webb. She's nearly four-and-a-half. Her mother … her real mother … Chlöe Webb … got pregnant when she was in an abusive relationship. She was only 17. She got out, before he discovered the pregnancy. She moved to New City, for a new start. She was doing real well. She had a job, as a typesetter, an apartment. And she got together with her girlfriend just over a year ago. And then," she inhaled sharply. "There was a carjacking. Chlöe was shot. In front of her girlfriend, and in front of Addison."

"And the girlfriend?" Maggie was hesitant to ask.

"Joanne Foster. Was captured, along with Addison, and the others. Addison watched her die, too, tried to protect her," Alex's voice finally broke. "She's four, Mags," tears spilled down her cheeks. "She's only four," she whispered, again and again, as Maggie took her in her arms and rocked her tenderly.

An hour later, Addison woke up. She looked frightened for a moment, and visibly relaxed when she saw Alex and Maggie.

Alex sat on the side of the bed. "Hey, June Bug," she smiled, running a hand through her tousled brown hair. "How are you doing there?"

Addison smiled. "I'm good," she said, a little shyly. She liked these ladies, they were kind, and soft, and they smelled good. And they had made her all better when she felt bad.

"Are you up for a visitor?" Alex asked her. "I told my sister all about you, and she really wants to meet you. She's really nice," she saw the fear flicker in Addison's eyes. "And she went to the mall for you this morning, so she's got some new clothes for you."

Addison nodded. "Okay," she whispered.

"Can I maybe have a hug from you first?" Alex asked. "Maggie too?"

Addison nodded again, and they all met in a warm huddle.

"We heard your name is Addison," Maggie said gently. "Is it okay if we call you that?"

"My mom called me Addie. My momma too," Addison said, her face crumpling at the memory.

Maggie took her back into her arms and held her. "Oh Addie. I'm so sorry. You've seen so many bad things." She pulled back and looked into her eyes. "It's all over now. No more bad things are going to happen to you. In fact, when Kara, Alex's sister has visited, Alex and I are going to check out a real nice place for you to live. There are lots of kids there, and lots to play with. And they'll make super-sure you are looked after properly."

Alex stood up from the bed, and walked away. Her emotions were getting the better of her. God, she wanted a drink. She remembered back to the devastation that Kara had suffered when she first came to their family, and she was 12 when that happened. But it had taken years of love, and reassurance, for the nightmares to stop, and for Kara to feel secure. How much worse must it be for this child, who had actually seen both of her mothers murdered in front of her?

A soft knock came, interrupting her thoughts. She opened the door to Kara, and drew her into a tight hug.

Kara could see that Alex was struggling, so she just held her for a moment. Maggie looked on, quiet, pensive, and missing nothing.

Alex pulled back. "Kara, I want you to meet our very special friend. This," she pointed to Addie, "Is Addison Webb. Addie," she smiled. "I think Addie may be the bravest little girl I've ever met, isn't that right, Bug?"

Addie blushed. She climbed off the bed and approached Kara, sticking her hand out. "Hello," she said, shyly.

Kara was charmed by the sweet manners of this little girl. "Hey," she crouched at her level. "I'm so happy to meet you. Alex has told me all about you. And," she smiled, "she asked me to pick up some things at the mall. Alex said you like jeans and stuff, so there's some clothes here," she pointed to a couple of bags by the bed. There's also somebody I'd really like you to take care of for me," she pulled a huge stuffed bear from one of the bags. "This is Henry, and he has asked me to find him a little girl to cuddle him and make him feel loved. Do you think you could do that for me?"

Addison's eyes were wide. She nodded. "Can I hold him?"

"You sure can," Kara passed over the toy, which was almost as large as Addie. "He wants to live with you now. Wherever you go, he wants to go with you. Okay?"

It was Maggie's turn to look away, her eyes brimming. Kara knew only too well what it was like to be without a family, and she knew that the bear would comfort Addie. "Thank you," she mouthed to her.

SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG

Maggie drove the SUV toward the group home, trying not to react to Alex's body language. Her girlfriend couldn't settle, constantly fiddling, checking her phone, taking her sunglasses on and off, looking at her watch. "She'll be fine Danvers," Maggie said gently. "She likes Kara. And we'll be back at the DEO in an hour, two tops."

"I know that," Alex was abrupt.

"Alex," Maggie began cautiously. "I know it's been..."

Alex looked at Maggie, her eyes stormy. "Can we just drop it?"

Stung, Maggie nodded, and turned her attention back to the road.

Alex hated herself. Maggie was only trying to be sweet. And they knew the group home at St. Cuthbert's was one of the best in the area. They would take good care of Addie, and might even be able to find her an adoptive family. They had great counselors, too, and Addie was going to need that.

Alex felt her heart plummet as they drew up outside the imposing building. They got out of the car, and looked up to see Sister Mary-Agnes approach. The nun greeted them warmly, and ushered them into the building.

Inside, the hallway was much warmer than the forbidding outside had suggested. It was painted in cheerful pastel colors, and there were pictures painted by the children adorning the walls.

A small boy careened round the corner, giggling loudly, clutching a football.

Maggie grinned, and looked over at Alex. Alex's face was as white as a sheet, and she was standing stock-still.

Maggie put her hand on her arm, and could feel her shaking. "Danvers?" she said softly. "What is it? You can tell me anything."

Alex blinked, and looked at Maggie. "I can't do this," she said, in a whisper. "I can't. I'm sorry. She's so small. Her life has been … I can't put her here. I know," her breathing was coming fast – too fast, Maggie thought.

"I know … I can't ask you to. But I can take her. I'm really sorry if it's not what you want. And I'll understand if you want to leave me. If I have to give up the DEO, I will," Alex swayed, and grabbed at Maggie who guided her to a chair.

"Breathe, Danvers," Maggie said quietly, as she pushed her head between her legs. "Just concentrate on breathing."

"I feel sick," Alex said, thickly.

"I know," Maggie's voice was gentle, reassuring. "It'll pass. Breathe with me, Alex. In, slowly, hold it, and out." She took Alex's hand and pressed it to her own chest. "Feel my heartbeat. Settle. There, that's it. You're doing good," slowly Alex's panic started to recede.

Maggie noticed that Sister Mary-Agnes was standing at a tactful distance. She cupped Alex's face. "You want to adopt her?"

Alex nodded, dumbly.

Maggie smiled, and placed a soft kiss on Alex's lips. "Then we'll adopt her."

"It won't be easy. Any of it," Alex's voice still shook.

"I know that. We'll make it work. We'll change our schedules. We'll get counselors. We'll get help. Kara can help. So can your Mom. And all our friends. Other people do it, Alex," she said softly.

Alex was staring at her. "Can we really do this?"

"We can," Maggie was firm. "Hey, we're already buying the house. Now we have a ready-made kid we can move into it with us."

"But we're not getting the house for another six weeks."

"We'll stay at my apartment until then," Maggie said. "I know it's small, but we can put a kid bed in the office, so it's kinda a two-bedroom. So she can try out if she likes living with us."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Alex pressed.

Maggie smiled her 1,000-watt smile. She took Alex's hand. "Alex Danvers, I love you. I think I loved you the first moment I saw you. I want nothing more than a family with you, however it comes around. And that kid … she's so lovely. She reminded me of you, when I first saw her."

"How so?" Alex asked.

"She was clearly terrified. So she told me she wasn't scared of me, and then she stuck her chin out, all stubborn, just like you do. She's like your mini-me."

Alex smiled, and took a deep breath.

"Feeling better?" Maggie asked.

Alex nodded. "I'm sorry. I don't know what happened there."

"You cared," Maggie said. "Sometimes caring hurts."

Maggie stood up, and held her hand to Alex, who took it and levered herself to her feet. When she seemed slightly unsteady, Maggie put a supporting arm around her waist. They approached Sister Mary-Agnes.

"We've wasted your time," Maggie was smiling broadly. "I don't think we're going to need a place after all."

"You're taking her yourselves?" the elderly nun asked.

Alex nodded, fearing what the nun might say about gay adoption.

Sister Mary-Agnes broke out into a wide smile. "I'm so pleased," she said. At the look of surprise on the women's faces, she added, "I don't agree with everything the church says," you know. "I can see how much love the pair of you share. I can't think of a better couple to bring up a child."

Alex was startled, and then touched, when the nun pulled them both into a tight hug. "We're here," Sister Mary-Agnes said. "You know you can come to us for advice, and help. Whatever we can do."

SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG

Maggie pulled the door half-closed to her former office. She looked around the living room, which was now littered with all her files and boxes. At least she had made enough room to make Addie comfortable for a few weeks, while their house purchase went through.

She went into the kitchen to retrieve the single malt Scotch, and collected three glasses. "I think we deserve to celebrate," she said, as she poured three shots. She passed them to Alex and Kara. "Our family's growing," she smiled.

Kara's grin was even wider than usual. "You two are going to be amazing parents," she said.

"It'll be months, if not years, before it's official," Alex warned.

"But it will happen," Kara said. She touched Alex's hand. "I know only too well how happy being adopted by a Danvers can make you. And there's a Sawyer in the mix too, to make it even better."

Maggie smiled. She knew Alex's heart had been overtaken by the small child – and her own had, too. "Don't think I'm letting you off the hook, though, Danvers," she teased.

"Hook? What hook?" Alex was bemused.

"I still want you to have our baby, one day. Maybe we can delay it a while, at least until Addie's settled but," she wrapped her arms around Alex's waist. "I dream of this," she stroked Alex's stomach, "carrying our child."

Alex took Maggie in her arms, and kissed her deeply. She pulled back after a while and smiled. She pushed Maggie's hair behind her ears with both hands, and kissed her again. "I can't wait," she whispered.