Sam smiled at the sight waiting for her in baggage claim. Kara was jumping from one foot to the other, trying to see over the heads of the other National City National Airport travelers. When her eyes caught Sam, she squealed. Maybe closer to a shriek as she bobbed and weaved her way into a crushing hug with arms tight around Sam.
"You're hurting me," Sam grunted out.
"Sorry!" Kara said, letting Sam go to arm's length before pulling her back into another hug. "I just missed you so much! You were gone too long this time! And I really could have used some more Sam love with everything going on."
Sam was able to return this hug now that Kara wasn't trying to kill her with love. Literally. When they parted, Kara took Sam's duffle and swung it over her own shoulder. The plane ride was long, and Sam was tired. She wasn't going to complain at Kara's kindness. Even if it wasn't entirely needed.
"Everything will work itself out. Even with Lena," Sam said. She rolled her shoulders, tired but also uncomfortable with talking about Lena. She needed to tell her sisters about her ties to Lena. Project Perdita Spe. "Things always work out how they're supposed to."
"I know you're right, but I hate waiting. It feels like there's nothing I can do! You know how well I do with being helpless."
"Don't be dramatic. You're not helpless, Kara. Just not everything can be fixed by charging in. You know that by now," Sam said. "If not from your own mistakes than mine. Or Alex's. Really anyone we know to be honest."
"Just because you're right doesn't mean it's easy," Kara pouted.
They made it to a car Sam didn't recognize. Kara made to get into the driver seat, but Sam stopped her. "Hey, uh. Woah." Sam chuckled. "How about I drive?"
"I've gotten better!" Kara said. She relinquished the keys regardless. Sam got in and Kara answered the unasked question. "Alex got a car since she doesn't work at the DEO anymore. No more company cars for her to use."
Kara chattered on as they made their way back into the city toward Kara's apartment. Sam smiled as she listened to Kara fill her in. Everything was tinged with sadness and loss but still, it was good to be with her sister.
Even being in her apartment was comforting. The same view, the same furniture. Everything felt like a kind of home to Sam.
"Is the couch okay while we're in the city? Obviously when we go to Midvale, you'll have your room," Kara said as she went about putting her jacket away.
"Couch is fine. No worries," Sam said. She set her duffle behind the couch, out of the way.
Discomfort was starting to set in. Sam knew her plan in getting her. Be a source of strength and comfort for her family. In practice though, Sam was out of her depth. Luckily, Kara wasn't. She took one look at Sam and crossed the room to hug her again.
"I'm so sorry he's gone," Kara said softly.
"Thanks but I'm fine. Really, Kara." Sam pulled out of the hug. She sat on the couch. "What about Alex?"
"Oh, I don't know. She came around last night when Eliza finally relented to us helping her with the final arrangements. Then she locked herself back up in her apartment. I can't even imagine what she's doing in there. Probably blaming herself."
Kara was probably right. Alex was a master at blame. Especially when it was blame put on herself. It would be a miracle if Alex hadn't held the same hope their mom did. In all honesty, she probably believed the most that he would come back to them.
"We'll head to Midvale tomorrow for the funeral. What do you want to do until then?"
Sam took a huge breath. "I want to know what happened, Kara. What really happened to our dad?"
"Alex said he was in Peru, in the mountains where he found J'onn all those years ago. He was working in a refugee camp helping displaced aliens," Kara explained. "It was cardiac arrest. Heart issues."
Sam shifted. It was uncomfortable to think how similarly her and her father were spending their time. It only made her heart ache and her anger burn more. She was so angry and confused as to why he wouldn't just come home. The Peruvian Andes weren't the only place to help alien refugees.
"I was relieved, to be honest," Kara continued. "He was a good man. Even at the end. In spite of everything, Jeremiah really was a good guy."
A tart reply was swallowed by Sam. If that was what Kara needed to believe as a balm to her pain, then Sam could let her. Differences of opinions didn't need to come to light now. Maybe not ever now that he was dead.
"Sam? Are you okay?"
She looked up to meet Kara's eye, not realizing that she had lost it. Sam had gotten muddled in her thoughts. She gave Kara a smile. "I'm fine. Just thinking about it all. Um, but I actually have plans tonight. Maggie wanted to get a drink. Is that okay? You could come. If you wanted? I'm sure Maggie wouldn't mind."
Kara shook her head. "No, you go. Tell Maggie I said hi and I hope she's doing well."
Sam got up to leave. Kara called out to her. "I meant it on the phone, Sam. Now is not the time to meddle with Alex's relationship. They called it quits for a good reason. It's none of our business."
"Lucy said the same thing. You guys have that little faith in me? Alex can do what she wants," Sam shrugged. Then used an untouchable comeback that had a quickly approaching expiration date. "My dad died. I'm sad and I want to see my friend. That's honestly it."
Kara gave her a sad smile and a farewell. Sam left and made her way to the bar. She really didn't have plans to mess around in other people's business. Seeing Maggie was no strings. A chance to see a friend who Sam thought would be denied to her now that her sister's relationship with Maggie was over. For the most part it was. Only on birthdays or holidays did Sam ever hear from Maggie. Being back in National City had Sam floundering and Maggie had always been a good anchor. That was it.
They did not meet at the alien bar. No matter that Maggie had introduced it to Alex. Maggie respected that it meant more to Kara and thus, more to Alex. And besides, as Maggie put it, she moved across the city and the bar was too far to frequent regularly.
So instead, Sam walked into a different dive bar. Cleaner and with only one pool table but still Maggie's vibe. A half sweep of the bar found Maggie with her back to Sam, talking to the bartender. A full pint of beer in front of the empty seat next to her. Sam smiled. A different bar maybe but the same Maggie.
"Hey," Sam said.
Maggie swung around with a huge smile and her arms out wide. "Baby Danvers! Look at you! Man, you are a sight for sore eyes. How are you?"
They hugged. Maybe a touch longer than necessary. A result, Sam was sure, by her father's death. It was confirmed when Maggie pulled away with concern and condolences written all over her.
"I'm okay, really, but if people keep asking me that I might just have to make a scene. Give the people what they want," Sam joked. She took the seat next to Maggie.
"A stupid question, I know. But what else are you supposed to ask in these kinds of situations? I mean, yours is unique and all but still. He was your dad. The question needs asking."
They tapped their glasses together and Sam took a long pull from it. The beer was still cold but had probably been sitting there for several minutes. All in all, she wasn't complaining. She had slept on the flight and there hadn't been time for a drink since she found out. It was the balm she needed. Not words or peace in the face of loss. Just a cold beer next to an old friend.
"So uh," Maggie started. She stared across the bar at the rows of bottles with a serious look on her face. One that could be explained by only one question.
"How's Alex?" Sam supplied. Maggie nodded and Sam shrugged in return. "I honestly don't know. She's gone into hiding. Kara told me she finally let Kelly in so that is good I suppose." Sam winced and turned to look at Maggie.
She waved it away. "It's all good, kid. I know she moved on. I'm happy for her."
"And you?"
It was Maggie's turn to shrug. She took a drink before answering. She said, "Nothing serious. A few dates here and there. To be honest, I'm not quite ready yet."
"I get it."
A silence fell between them. Sam wanted to tell Maggie that what she should do is drive over to Alex's and do what Maggie does best, but she didn't. If Alex wanted to be comforted by someone who wouldn't really understand, who wasn't there when it all went down then that was Alex's business.
"Alright, let's not do this. We are not here to talk about your sister. Tell me, how's Miami? How's Lucy and her new job and the wonderful life you guys built?"
The enthusiasm in Maggie's voice was forced but Sam was happy to oblige. She told Maggie everything she wanted to hear. Answered each question. By the end, it felt as fluid and normal as before Sam left. It was nice.
After a third beer, Maggie pushed off the bar. "I think it's time to go, Sam. Anymore alcohol and this might just turn into something neither of us want." Maggie gave her a small smile. "I'm glad I got to see you. Maybe we can get together again the next time you're in town. If Alex doesn't mind and all."
"Yea," Sam agreed, returning Maggie's hug. "I'm glad we did this."
"Sorry again about your dad. I know he wasn't the highest on your list after everything, but I get it. Dads are hard and when they're gone it hurts no matter how you feel about them," Maggie said once they were outside the bar, about to head in different directions.
Sam forgot how much wisdom Maggie threw around as easily as if it were a good morning or how're you doing. She smiled in the face of it.
"And Miami looks good on you. The work looks good on you, Sam. No matter what, I think you made the right choice. Good luck with everything."
Then Maggie was gone. Walking down the street with her head high like she owned the sidewalk she strode on. The same easy confidence that made her magnetic.
Maybe seeing Maggie before she officially met Alex's new girlfriend was not a great idea. It mattered little, Sam thought as she turned to head back to Kara's. Kelly would be what she is and Maggie would always be in the past. All that mattered was how loyal Sam wanted to be to her friend.