Maggie and James return triumphant, serum in hand but is it truly for the best? How will Alex deal with the thought of giving Kara up? Plus, Eliza dispenses some hard truths on her daughter-in-law to be and Maggie realizes she still has a lot of soul-searching to do.
"Ally!"
Alex nearly fainted with relief when she spotted the tiny brunette, nearly swallowed by her battered leather jacket, striding confidently towards her in the command center. All decorum flew out the window as the other woman grabbed her by the NCPD windbreaker and kissed her soundly in front of all present. Alex returned the kiss with fervor; immensely relieved that Maggie had returned from her crusade seemingly no worse for wear.
"You okay?" The agent asked, teary eyes raking over her fiancée for any sign of injury. Her voice sounded considerably better than it had a few hours prior, no longer flinchingly painful.
"Yeah. Yeah, babe I'm good." Maggie replied, pressing her forehead back against the other woman's. "You?"
"Getting there." Alex replied sincerely, relief evident in her voice. She glanced over Maggie's shoulder and her eyes grew wide! "James!" she exclaimed as loud as her battered voice would allow.
The vigilante in question rushed toward her, arms outstretched and quickly smothered the agent in the gentlest bear hug her could muster, lifting her off her feet. He set her down gingerly, pressing a small kiss against her hairline before he ducked to meet her eyes.
"You should have called me." He chastised her, just as he had Maggie earlier that night. "You okay?" Alex nodded jerkily, her emotions quickly overwhelming her.
James pulled her against his chest again as the trio wordlessly made their way to the med-bay. They stopped just outside the glass doors, James mouth slightly agape at how tiny Kara looked. Maggie placed a comforting hand on his shoulder knowing she would be equally perturbed if it were Alex in such a state. He swallowed loudly before stepping back.
"You guys, uh, go ahead." He mumbled. "I'm gonna check in with Winn, see if J'onn needs any help transporting the prisoners."
Both women nodded their understanding, each offering him a grateful hug before they let him go. Lena met them at the door, practically vibrating with excitement as she led them over to Kara who was awake and cuddling with Eliza. The moment she laid eyes on Alex, however, everyone else was forgotten. Her big sister wasted no time scooping her onto her hip as the child circled her neck with her little arms, securely anchoring herself to her sibling.
"Maggie!" Eliza exclaimed as she wrapped the smaller woman in her arms. "Thank goodness."
The detective returned the embrace, relishing in having a fussing mother figure if only for the moment. Eliza pulled back, framing her face with her hands, a soft smile gracing her lips.
"I'm okay." She assured the Danvers matron before offering the woman the padded briefcase. "And hopefully after we use this, Little Danvers will be too."
A sharp gasp from behind her pulled her attention and she turned just in time to see Alex hurrying out the door, Kara in tow. Everyone in the room looked after them confused. Maggie was the first to spring to action, chasing after the siblings trying to still her panic. Eliza followed quickly, leaving a bewildered Lena and Hamilton behind.
It didn't take Maggie long to locate the pair.
She knew Alex wouldn't risk Kara by going too far and the Danvers siblings both felt at ease under the stars. Taking the steps two at time, she quickly found herself on the roof, sighing with relief to find Alex siting there, Kara settled happily on her lap as her sister pointed out the different constellations.
"You see that one, baby?" Alex whispered, pointing to a particularly brilliant star. Kara dutifully turned her attention upwards, listening intently. "That's my favorite because it's the brightest, the most beautiful...it reminds me of you."
Little Kara beamed as her sister placed a kiss on her forehead before pulling the child closer. Maggie watched from the doorway, unsure whether she should interfere. The decision was made for her when Eliza, in her haste to locate her girls, stumbled through the door behind her, causing the startled pair to look their way!
"It's okay, baby." Alex soothed the toddler quickly. "It's just your Mama and Maggie being silly."
Kara smiled too, encouraged by her sister's reaction. "Silly, Mama! Silly Maggie!" she exclaimed, all smiles and giggles. "You scare me!"
Maggie smiled down at the child easily, still noting the tension in Alex's shoulders as she held the child close. "Sorry munchkin." She told her gently as she stroked the child's hair. "We were just wondering where you and sissy got off to?"
"Sissy show me stars!" Kara exclaimed, gesturing widely to the sky. "So pretty!"
"Yeah baby they are pretty. Just like you!" Maggie bopped the child on the nose gently and Kara burst into a fit of giggles. Alex on the other hand remained stoic throughout the exchange, not meeting Maggie's eyes or even acknowledging her mother on the rooftop.
"Alexandra?" Eliza called gently, kneeling on the other side of her daughters. Both she and Maggie noted the tremble in Alex's lip, the glassy eyes she turned toward them, filled to the brim with unshed tears.
"I can't do this..." She whispered, turning to press another kiss to Kara's head as the toddler finally noted her sibling's dour mood. The little girl wiggled around until she was facing Alex, placing tiny hands on her big sister's face.
"Why sissy cwy?" She asked before her little face settled with determination. "Sissy no cwy." She stated planting a kiss on each of Alex's eyes, then her cheeks. "Love sissy."
"I love you too baby." Alex told her sincerely; face still turned downward, shoulders hunched in sorrow. Perturbed as to why her kisses hadn't fixed the problem, Kara snuggled closer, one hand fisting her sister's shirt, the other running gently up and down her sister's cast as if she knew the limb was hurt.
"Ally?" Maggie ventured, placing a hand gently on her fiancée's back. "Babe, what's going on? I thought you'd be happy. Everything is gonna be okay."
"No, it's not." Alex replied, turning teary eyes to her. "I'm not ready to let her go..."
"Sweetheart." Eliza sighed, reaching out to stroke Alex's hair before pressing a gentle kiss to it.
"I know..."Alex stammered, "I know I have no right to keep her...like this but...I'm not ready to let this Kara go." She finished with a sob, pulling the child closer, wishing she had two arms to truly hold onto the little girl with.
"Ally." Maggie sighed, unsure of how to fix this problem. She'd thought the serum was the solution to their current crisis but she hadn't once considered the effect actually curing Kara would have on her mate. "What do you need? What can I do?"
"I need more time..."Alex sobbed openly now, causing Little Kara to cry too! "With her...please mom...we need more time." She turned sorrowful eyes to Eliza who seemed to be on the verge of an emotional collapse as well.
She knew why Alex felt this way; had known since her girl's were young how badly Alex had wanted to protect Kara, how sorry she was that her little sister's life had started out with more bad memories than good. The eldest Danvers had done her best to rectify the situation, to give Kara her all. Now she had a chance to love Kara well, to love her from the beginning. Eliza knew how painful it must be to have to give that up, to give the little girl away. She couldn't cause Alex more pain than she already had...
"Then we'll make time..."She whispered to her daughter. Maggie eyed Eliza with a quizzical look but kept her attention on the distraught siblings, not at all sure she liked where this was headed.
Once they were able to coax Alex down from the roof, Eliza explained to the group her plans for allowing her daughters a bit more time together. According to all their findings, Kara's current improvement would last for at least another three days before she would require her next dose. It wasn't a lot of time but it was all the mother could give. If they waited any longer, all their calculations would be rendered useless and they would have to start synthesizing the serum anew putting Kara further at risk.
Maggie hadn't been particularly pleased about the Danvers matron's plan in the beginning but she could now see how much Alex needed this. If she were being honest with herself, she would miss little Kara too. The child was sweet and loving and intelligent beyond her years. Not to mention her devotion to Alex. The little girl, much like her adult self, looked at her sister as if she had hung the stars. There was no one that meant more to the toddler than Alex. The look of pure adoration on that little face when she saw her sibling was surely something to be missed.
It wasn't a goodbye, not really, but that didn't make it hurt any less.
Maggie and Eliza had gone over the plan with J'onn, in his office, because Kara still wouldn't go anywhere near him. Maggie knew how much that must have hurt the man but he kept a stiff upper lip for his girls, pushing his own feelings aside to do what was best for them.
Which was why he had agreed to let Maggie take her girls home and let them enjoy their last few days together.
Since her fight with Henshaw, Kara's solar flare had left her as ordinary as any other two year old and her condition was currently stable. There was no real reason for her to stay at the DEO. Alex was released into her fiancées care because she still had a concussion and a broken arm, both injuries making taking care of a toddler a difficult task. Vasquez loaded all of Kara's things into one of the black government SUV's and the trio quietly made their way home, an air of sadness looming overhead.
"Hey, Eliza." Maggie spoke quietly into the phone as she kept an eye on the big bed across the room. "Yeah. Everything's okay over here..."
Once she'd gotten the siblings home, the trio shared a small dinner: just one pizza divided amongst the three of them, something that hadn't ever happened that Maggie could remember. She'd then forced her stubborn agent to take her antibiotics and the pain pills Alex seemed to hate so much before ushering the pair into the bathroom to cleanup.
Maggie had run them a warm bubble bath, which Kara had immensely enjoyed! Alex was less excited but Maggie assumed it had more to do with her saran-wrapped cast than the activity. Despite her mobility issues, Alex had splashed and played with her baby sister until the bubbles went flat and the water had cooled. Maggie had been able to get some especially adorable shots of Kara and Alex with bubble-beards as well as one of the little girl wrapped in her hooded Supergirl towel, cuddled lovingly by her big sister.
The siblings were now snuggled tightly in Alex's bed, clad in soft PJ's, intently watching FROZEN, a big bowl of ice cream between them. Every other bite, Alex would feed her little sister, making sure that the little one didn't spill on her jammies or get too much. Even though Kara still loved the sugary confection, her normal toddler-sized tummy simply couldn't handle that much sugar. Maggie watched them from the kitchen convinced this had been the right decision...oddly enough, it was now Eliza who needed convincing.
"Yes, Eliza, they're both fine. Kara's not running a temperature and Alex took all her meds and I made sure she ate first. I've got it under control."
The protective mother finally relented, instructing Maggie to call her first thing in the morning so she could come spend time with her girls and to call her immediately if anything changed. The detective hung up the phone with a smile; grateful Eliza had chosen to stay at Kara's for the night.
"Maggie!" a little voice squealed from the bedroom and the detective quickly put her phone on the charger and slipped into the bed.
"What did I miss?" She asked the excited little blonde even though they had all seen the movie at least a hundred times.
"It's Elsa, Maggie!" Kara exclaimed pointing to the screen with a chubby little hand. "And, Olaf!"
"No way! Those are both my favorite." She replied, pressing a kiss to Kara's hair. The child's attention was riveted to the screen as Elsa belted out 'Let It Go'. Maggie glanced over Kara's head to find Alex watching her with teary eyes.
"Thank you." She told her simply, leaning over the child to steal a quick kiss.
Maggie just nodded in return, cheeks flushing at the gratitude. She set the empty ice cream bowl aside shifting closer so she could wrap a protective arm around Alex. Kara quickly scrambled onto their laps, lying contently against her sister's chest, tiny feet propped up on Maggie's legs. Her eyes were glued intently to the screen; her stuffed dog hugged tightly against her chest, absentmindedly scratching her nose where the tube had been.
Alex soon dozed off, the pain meds finally taking effect and Kara kept her ear glued to her sister's chest, little eyes drooping until finally the familiar heartbeat lulled her to sleep as well. Maggie quietly flipped the TV off before tiptoeing to the other side of the bed to settle extra pillows around Alex in case Kara rolled in the night.
She crept through the house, dimming the lights instead of turning them off, because Kara was afraid of the dark, and setting the alarm before finally sliding back into bed. Tucking the toddler's feet under the covers, she ensured the child wasn't lying on her sister's injured limb before she lay back and secured the covers over the three of them. Maggie lay awake for a while simply observing her tiny family and she couldn't shake the feeling that some part of this felt oh so, right...
The next morning Maggie awoke to the most adorable of sights.
Her girls were snuggled on Alex's side of the bed; the elder Danvers was flat on her back with Kara strewn across her sister's chest. Alex had her broken arm draped over Kara's waist and her other hand cupped the back of the child's head protectively. Both their mouths hung open and Maggie noted how the pair seemed to have kicked off their covers in the night.
With a quiet chuckle, she snapped a quick pic then eased herself out of bed, adjusting the blankets back around the sleeping duo. She had just started making her morning tea when there was a quiet knock at the door. After a cautious peek through the peephole, she disarmed the alarm and ushered Eliza inside.
"They're still sleeping." She told the concerned mother quietly and when Eliza glanced over at the bed, a large smile broke out on her face.
"Just like when they were younger..." She mused, settling on the bar stool while Maggie put on a pot of coffee. "Kara would always sleep on Alex's chest, no matter that she was taller than Alex or heavier." The mother added with a small chuckle.
"Ally really is a natural at this..." Maggie murmured. "She really is amazing with her. I never gave having kids much thought but with Alex...once she's around a kid, it's like she hardly thought of anything else."
Eliza hummed in agreement. "Alexandra has always known what she wants. It's one of the many things that makes her amazing and easy to love but sometimes that can also be difficult." The mother added eyeing Maggie as she sipped her coffee.
" I assume she told you?" The younger woman sighed.
"Told me what dear?" Eliza asked with a feigned expression of innocence.
"That I don't want a family."
Eliza shrugged, taking another sip. "It seems to me that you already have one."
"Eliza," Maggie sighed again. "You know what I mean. I don't want feedings and diaper changes and bedtime stories. I like our lives the way they are."
"I see." The older woman replied with a slight frown. "Does Alex get a say in that?"
"Of course, she does!" Maggie exclaimed before lowering her voice. "Of course, Eliza."
"Maggie, my Alex is a 'mother hen' in all the ways one can be. She lives to care for others, to nurture and love and protect. It makes her happy. Taking care of you, makes her happy. Taking care of Kara, too."
"I want Ally to be happy, always and I know she's never happier than when Kara is around and I understand that, I respect it. But, Kara is not a child...usually. That's something I'm not sure I'm ready for."
"Then perhaps you should use these next few days to sort out your feelings on the matter? Before you break my daughters heart?"
Maggie opened her mouth to respond but found she didn't know what to say.
She wanted to tell Eliza that she was wrong, that she would never hurt Alex like that. But wouldn't denying her the one thing she wanted so badly hurt her? Could Maggie ever really fill that void? Stop Alex from pining after the one thing that seemed so deeply woven into whom she was?
"Good morning, my loves!" Eliza exclaimed, pulling Maggie from her thoughts.
She glanced up to see Alex coming down the stairs from her bedroom, a sleepy little one on her hip. Kara's eyes were barely open as she clung to Alex like a baby koala, arms and legs wrapped tightly around her sister, Ice Cream sandwiched between them. Eliza stood to take the little girl from her daughter and the baby murmured a sleepy "Hi, Mama" as she settled into the woman's arms.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Eliza asked her eldest, using her free hand to cup the girl's cheek.
"M'okay." Alex murmured, her voice sounding much worse first thing in the morning. "Little sore." She added with a one-sided shrug.
Maggie frowned openly at the agent. Alex hardly ever admitted to any discomfort, too stubborn to want to appear weak. The fact that she had admitted to being in even a small amount of pain spoke volumes to the tiny detective.
"Babe, why don't you go relax on the couch?" She suggested with a gentle kiss to the taller woman's cheek. "I'll whip us up some breakfast right quick and then get you your pills, okay?"
"Okay." Alex agreed without prodding. She pulled Maggie closer to her for a moment to ask, "You okay?" Maggie noticed her fiancées eyes unconsciously flick to her mother who was lost in doting over Kara at the moment.
"Yeah. Yeah, Ally, I'm good. Just a little worried about you." She told her honestly.
Alex smiled softly at her, rolling her eyes a little. "And you say I'm a mother hen..."
Maggie startled at the other woman's choice of words. Had Alex heard their conversation? Her apartment wasn't exactly soundproof with that open layout. Before Maggie could ask her, Alex limped over to the couch and flopped down on her back, her good arm tossed over her eyes, no doubt to block out the offensive morning light that was only intensifying her headache.
As soon as Alex left the kitchen, Kara was eager to follow. "Down, Mama." She demanded, kicking her little feet. When Eliza looked hesitant to comply she added the sweetest little "Please."
Eliza chuckled and set the child down, knowing exactly where she was headed. Kara made a beeline straight for the living room, Ice Cream dragging across the floor behind her. When she reached the couch, Alex didn't react, pretending to be asleep. There was no way she could have fallen asleep that quickly but Kara seemed convinced. She crept closer to her sister, watching Alex's face intently for any indication she might be awake.
"Sissy?" she stage whispered, mere inches from Alex's face. When she received no response, the precocious toddler dropped her stuffed animal, needing both hands to climb onto the couch with her sibling.
Maggie could see Alex tense, preparing herself to catch Kara if she happened to fall. Fortunately, she was able to complete the climb without incident quickly straddling her sister's stomach. She leaned in closer to her sister's face; mindful of the black cast she knew signified Alex's "owie".
"Sissy, sneeping?" She asked, trying to peek under Alex's forearm. When she still received no response, she placed both hands on her sister's shoulder, rocking her. "Sissy, wake up! Sissy, play!"
Kara sat back, pouting adorably as she tried to work out a way to wake her big sister. She didn't have to wait long because Alex sprang up suddenly, wrapping the surprised toddler in her arms!
"Sissy you scare me!" Kara squealed in delight as Alex tickled her tummy, pressing kisses all over her rosy cheeks, happiness evident on both their faces.
Maggie and Eliza watched the display from the kitchen, the mother with tears in her eyes. Maggie wasn't sure what she felt in that moment but she resolved to take Eliza's advice, to use this unexpected turn of events as an opportunity to explore the concept of parenthood.
She knew Alex had no doubts about her role as a parent, now Maggie just needed to be sure she could be the partner Alex deserved.