Both Rowan and Alex are confined to the Medbay, leaving Maggie's nerves a frayed mess! Sam has been revealed as Reign and Lena has been deceiving them all the whole time. Will the youngest Luthor get a chance to explain herself? And how will Kara take the news?
Maggie sighed as she watched the sun rise over the large DEO balcony. She certainly hadn't set out to be up all night but her little family needed her and she would be loath to let them down. In lieu of resting, she had been up several times, first with Alex whose breathing had become labored during the night and set off a myriad of alarms!
She had just enough time to gather Rowan up and depart from the bed before Hamilton had rushed in, adjusting her fiancées oxygen as well as pain meds. Maggie was thankful their baby had managed to sleep through the ordeal having become accustomed to noises throughout the night as Alex was not nearly as quiet when she came home late as she assumed! When Hamilton was satisfied with Alex's oxygen levels, she had left the family to rest once more.
However, seeing her mate struggle for breath had left Maggie on edge, the detective unable to close her eyes without seeing the image of Alex's lips turning blue, her chest heaving erratically.
Unfortunately, Rowan spiked a fever not long after.
Their daughter had broken out in a sweat, lurching awake between her mothers, a sickly green tint to her skin. Maggie had barely been able to rush the little one to the bathroom before she expelled her stomach contents! She could only imagine how Alex would have felt waking up from an already difficult sleep covered in regurgitated Spaghettios.
Parenthood was not at all as glamorous as other people would lead you to believe.
Rowan's stomach finally settled and Maggie hustled them both to Alex's quarters for a quick shower and change of clothes. She also forced the toddler to take another dose of children's aspirin, promptly setting off a tantrum! It took no small amount of cuddling to get Rowan to calm down, her little body struggling with the discomfort of being ill.
"No, Mama! Feels icky!" The little one complained, choosing to voice her displeasure aloud instead of through their bond. Both parents had noted that their daughter favored verbal communication when she was especially unhappy.
"I know Mija but the medicine will make it better, I promise." Maggie assured her quietly only to be met with a miniaturized version of Alex's scowl. Damn, their genes were strong!
"Want Ieiu!" Rowan insisted all but leaping from Maggie's arms.
"Ieiu is resting right now and Doctor Hammy is keeping an eye on her. We can go cuddle with her later."
This was apparently the wrong thing to say as Rowan dissolved into sobs again although she snuggled into Maggie's chest for comfort. The tiny Latina did her best to soothe the child even though her emotions were fraught as well. This was the very first time their baby had been anything but the picture of health and Maggie sorely wished Alex were awake to help her.
Ruby fortunately slept through the whole thing, dead to the world on the small pullout couch. The detective wondered if it was a Kryptonian trait to be able to sleep anywhere and through anything? Kara certainly could and now both children had proven to be quite adept at tuning out the world around them in favor of a good sleep! She also wondered if it would still be so easy once their powers inevitably developed?
Maggie wrapped her fussy baby in a soft blanket and shuffled down to the mess hall, all but deserted at such a late, or was it early, hour. She coaxed Rowan into eating a few bites of applesauce as well as drinking a full sippy cup of pedialyte before the toddler finally succumbed to sleep once more.
As much as they all enjoyed cuddling as a family, she was fearful that Rowan might get sick again, so she opted to set up the pack-and-play Alex kept in her office next to the agent's bed in the Medbay. Once her daughter was settled, Maggie began her vigil, splitting her focus between each bed. She hated that both her girls were ailing and even though they were sure to recover, it still made her feel helpless.
The steady beeping of Alex's heart monitor echoed reassuringly in the small space, the perfect soundtrack as Maggie started poring over everything that had happened in the last few hours. How had none of them noticed Sam's change in behavior, her erratic mood swings? It was true Alex had been helping the woman look into her memory lapses but then Rowan had entered their lives and the agent's priorities shifted to family matters.
They had all been caught of guard...all except one.
Lena.
It made sense that she would be the one to notice something amiss with Sam. They'd known each other since college, worked together on Lena's first startup and L-Corp had been the impetus for Sam's relocation from Metropolis. The two women worked side by side nearly every day. But what didn't make sense to Maggie was why Lena had felt the need to keep her discovery to herself.
She had thought the younger woman knew how much she meant to them, having been accepted into their family no matter the nature of her relationship with the youngest Danvers. They trusted Lena wholeheartedly, especially after she had been instrumental in returning Kara to both proper age and health. And then Rowan had come along and Lena had gone above and beyond to help their family settle in.
So why would Lena risk all they had built to keep this secret?
Maggie wasn't sure but she knew for a certainty she wouldn't get any answers sulking around the Medbay. She glanced at her phone and noted it was just after 8:30 in the morning. Both Alex and Rowan were still sleeping deeply with no signs of waking. If Maggie were going to get the answers she needed, she would have to go now.
"J'onn?" She spoke quietly into the phone mounted to the wall. "I need to run by the house to pick up a few things. Can you keep an eye on Rowan and Alex for me?"
"Of course." Either J'onn wasn't aware of the lie or he simply chose to ignore it. "Just let me grab a few files and I'll be right down."
True to his word, Space (Gran)dad showed up less than five minutes later, laptop and files tucked under one muscular arm. He pulled Maggie into a tight hug with the other as he instructed her to go home and rest for a bit, promising he and the rest of the DEO would keep a sharp eye on her girls. Maggie nodded and thanked him even though she had no intention of going home. With a gentle kiss to each of her family's cheeks, she grabbed Alex's jacket off the back of her chair and headed to the car park.
She was relieved as she cut through the parking lot that Kara had been called out on a Supergirl emergency. The last things she needed was her future sister-in-law coming to the defense of her (not)girlfriend before she got some answers. She knew from experience that when faced with a challenging problem, Lena would spend every waking hour in her lab until she found a solution.
After confirming that Sam was indeed the monster that nearly killed both Danvers sisters, Maggie would bet her Triumph that the brunette had spent all night in the lab trying to reverse her friend's transformation! She just hoped the young woman would see her...
Lena tried not to panic as she paced the floor of her office.
Jess had called to let her know that Maggie had entered the building and she knew for a fact the detective would be heading straight to her office. She couldn't blame the woman. If someone had put her mate and child needlessly in harms way she too would be on the warpath! Just as she thought the anticipation might kill her, the large doors swung open and in swaggered Maggie Sawyer.
Despite her diminutive stature, Maggie was more than capable of commanding a room. Lena had never felt so small in her own spacious office. Jess quietly closed the door behind them, shooting Lena a concerned glance before returning to her desk. The young CEO chose to ignore the look instead focused on the woman standing before her that she had surprisingly grown to think of as family.
"I think we both know why I'm here." Maggie began with no preamble. "Before I get too upset, how's Sam doing?"
Of all the things Lena had expected Maggie to say that certainly wasn't one of them! She faltered for a moment before regaining her composure. "She's...stable. There is still so much we don't know about her condition."
Maggie quirked an eyebrow at the term "condition" but let the comment slide. "That's good I guess. So," she took a deep breath before diving right in. "How long have you known about Sam and why didn't you tell us? Do you not trust us?"
"Of course I trust you!" Lena objected, hands clutched to her chest, face awash in disbelief.
"You have a funny way of showing it." Maggie scoffed, arms crossed tightly.
Lena recognized the gesture for what it was. Maggie was closing herself off, protecting herself because she now saw Lena as a threat. The thought hurt more than the CEO thought it would. Noting the woman was still waiting for an answer she mustered the courage to respond.
"I suspected something was amiss with Sam after watching her behavior the past few weeks but all I had were theories. I didn't want to cast suspicion on her unnecessarily. Especially, with the DEO involved."
"Well a little heads up would have been nice before Reign crashed through our house and nearly killed Alex, again I might add!"
"Is she alright?" Lena asked in a small voice, part of her believing she wasn't worthy of knowing such information.
"She will be."
"You have to believe me Maggie. The very last thing I would have wanted was to put you and your family in danger! I went to Europe to meet with a colleague whose work centers around electromagnetic containment fields."
"That's how you were able to contain her?" Maggie asked, realization dawning on her slowly.
"That was part of it, yes," Lena conceded, "but I had no idea it would even work. I just heard Sam was at your home and I knew I had to do whatever I could to protect both sides of my family. Please understand. Sam is my oldest and dearest friend Maggie. I can't give up on her."
Maggie stared at her for a long time, her expression unreadable. Finally she dropped her arms to her sides, tension seeping from her posture. "That's all you had to say from the beginning kid. Get over here."
Lena found herself pressed tightly against the smaller woman, melting into the hug she hadn't seen coming. She was crying before she knew and Maggie simply held her, rubbing soothing circles over her shoulder blades until the worst of it had passed.
"That's the last of your secrets, right? No more rogue Kryptonian's hiding in your closet?" Maggie asked as they separated, only half-joking.
"Actually," Lena began twisting her fingers nervously. "Sam is in a lab here at L-Corp... a lab that isn't exactly on the official schematics."
Maggie scoffed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Of course it isn't. Is this lab secure?"
"Next level encryption that would rival the DEO." Lena assured her with wide eyes.
"Good. Let's go."
"Go? Where?" Lena managed to sputter as Maggie shoved her purse, coat and phone into her hands.
"To the DEO. Perhaps you've forgotten that my future wife is a pioneer in Exobiology and helped you crack the formula that rescued my Kryptonian sister-in-law? This is a job for the BIG brains and while I can hold my own, this is WAY above my pay grade."
"Thank you, Maggie." Of all the 'Super Friends' she would not have guessed Maggie to be the first to forgive her.
"Don't thank me yet," the smaller woman quipped. "You still need to apologize to Alex and Kara. Something tells me they'll be less understanding than I am."
Lena swallowed the lump in her throat as she watched Maggie head towards the door knowing that her relationship with the Danvers sisters was about to drastically change...and not for the better.
Trying in vain to put off the inevitable as soon as they reached the DEO, Lena decided to stop by the labs to check-in with Winn while Maggie headed to the Medbay. The detective had given her a knowing look, reminding her gently "you'll have to face them at some point." She had nodded numbly as she pulled away hoping the tech-wiz could provide her with a distraction until Kara returned.
Maggie grabbed a coffee from the mess hall before checking on her girls, opting to wait to eat breakfast with her family. She needed the caffeine though, as she was currently running on heightened emotions and sheer force of will. Rounding the corner she was greeted with the most adorable of sights!
Rowan was awake and cuddling with her Papa, their foreheads pressed together in silent conversation. Her little hands were toying with the buttons on his polo and his large hand was running soothingly up and down her back. They both wore soft, contented smiles, lost in their own little world. She knew J'onn hated his recruits thinking he was soft but he would never let that get in the way of showering his girls with affection.
Maggie entered the bay quietly; loath to interrupt their tender moment. Instead she moved to the far side of the bay where Hamilton had pulled the curtain around Alex's bed. She guessed the doctor was changing the agent's bandages while their daughter was preoccupied.
"Knock, knock." She spoke just loud enough to be heard.
"Come on in, Maggie. I'm almost done." Hamilton's voice answered her and she hustled inside.
Alex was sitting on the side of the bed, feet dangling as the doctor secured the last of the bandages around her torso. Even wrapped, Maggie could still see the bruising present on her mate's chest and neck. She traced it with gentle fingers. Alex gave her a weak smile before taking the hand and pressing soft kisses to her palm.
"How are you feeling, baby?" She asked as she helped Alex maneuver into a zip up hoodie, the bandages peeking out of the open top.
"Not gonna lie, I've been better." The redhead quipped as she leaned into Maggie, forehead pressed against her neck. Behind the pair, Hamilton snorted at the response before addressing them.
"Leave it to my best and worst patient to make the understatement of the year." Hamilton half-joked as she came back over to them having gone to wash her hands and retrieve her tablet outside the curtain.
"How's she doing, Doc?" Maggie asked concerned by the manner that Alex so heavily leaned against her.
"Surprisingly well considering last night's setback. Her oxygen levels are back up but unfortunately so is her pain." The doctor sighed. "I need her to stay onsite for at least another night for monitoring. Hopefully last night's incident was a fluke but I want to be sure her oxygen stays at acceptable levels before I'm comfortable releasing her."
"Whatever you say, Doc. Isn't that right Danvers?" Alex made a snorting sound against her neck but otherwise kept her comments to herself. Maggie chuckled and pressed a light kiss to unruly red hair before addressing the doctor again. "Is it okay if I bring her some breakfast?"
"I see no reason not to, though stick to soft foods like yogurt and applesauce. Her throat is still very swollen. It was one of the reasons she was having trouble breathing last night. We have the inflammation under control but we also don't want to irritate things unnecessarily."
"Got it. How about my other girl?" Maggie asked, knowing the doctor had been monitoring the toddler too.
"I was just about to check on her." Hamilton explained with a smile as she pulled the curtain back in search of her smallest and favorite patient. "Mind if I borrow her for a bit?" The older woman asked J'onn as he walked over.
"Of course not." He answered with a smile, pressing a soft kiss to his granddaughter's forehead before settling her into the doctor's arms. "If you need me I'll be in command."
"Bye Papa!" Rowan exclaimed, grinning wildly when he stopped at the door to blow her a kiss. Space Grandad was whipped and wouldn't have had it any other way!
"How are you feeling today, Rowan?" The doctor used her sweetest voice as she cradled the little one in her arms. "I heard that your tummy was sad last night."
"Yeah," Rowan agreed with an adorable pout. "I throwed up my s'gettios, Doc'or Hammy!" The baby finished with a disgusted look.
"Oh dear!" The doctor exclaimed, barely able to hide her amusement at the little ones antics. "Well how does your tummy feel now? Can I check it?" She asked as she laid Rowan down on a spare bed. When the baby nodded her consent, the doctor lifted her little pajama top and gently felt her round belly.
Alex and Maggie watched the scene with soft smiles; thankful they were surrounded by so many people who cared for their daughter. Rowan was now sitting up telling the doctor a very animated story about the time one of her classmates got sick on the playground while the woman took her vitals. A few minutes later the Doctor came back over, toddler on hip, to give them her diagnosis. Rowan immediately reached for her Mama, sensing that her Ieiu was not in the mood to be crawled all over.
"It looks like the worst of it is over. 24-hour bugs are pretty common at this age and can actually be quite helpful in building up their immune system as I'm sure Alex knows. Her temperature is back to normal and she didn't have any stomach sensitivity. Seems like this little one is on her way to being all better...unlike her Ieiu!"
"Ha, ha." Alex deadpanned as she lay back on the bed with a sigh, having sat up for just those few short minutes enough to sap her strength. Both Maggie and the doctor watched the agent with concern.
"I'll leave them in your capable hands." Hamilton gave Maggie's shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading out. "Call me if you need anything."
"Will do. Thanks Doc." Maggie shifted her attention to their daughter, the little one toying with her hair and necklace while she waited for the adults to stop talking. "Hey peanut, why don't we get you changed and go get Ieiu some breakfast? I bet she's hungry."
"Starved." Came the muffled response from the bed, Alex's voice barely audible beneath the arm she had slung over her eyes.
"Okay, Mama. Ieiu stays here." Rowan commanded, pointing a chubby finger at Alex while trying to adapt a stern voice.
"So bossy." Alex complained. "She gets that from you, you know."
"Shut up, Danvers." Maggie muttered, pressing a quick kiss to her love's hairline. Naturally, Rowan wanted a kiss too though she was far less gentle! "Easy peanut, remember Ieiu has a big owie so we have to be soft with her."
"Sorry, Ieiu." Rowan leaned in again to gently pat Alex's hair.
The agent listened to her family depart then settled in for a rest. She didn't know how long she had been dozing but at some point she became keenly aware of someone else in the room. With a sigh, she turned her head towards the door, never moving her arm.
"Are you coming in or you just gonna stand there like a creep?"
Lena jumped at the question directed her way since she had been sure Alex was asleep. In fact she was hoping the agent was asleep, giving her a legitimate reason for avoiding this conversation.
"I, um, I didn't want to disturb you." Lena floundered as Alex removed the arm covering her eyes and sat up with a grunt.
"Well, I'm up now." Alex pointed out, rubbing hands over her tired face and adjusting her nasal cannula. "So tell me Lee, where'd you get the Kryptonite?"
"I don't know what you mean." Lena managed to squeeze out, looking everywhere but at the agent.
Alex sighed deeply, wincing as the movement tortured her bruised torso. She waited until Lena looked up before telling her what she suspected from the previous night. Like Maggie, she wanted to believe Lena's intentions were good but if what she suspected were true, the youngest Luthor had A LOT of explaining to do.
"Reign is the strongest Kryptonian I have ever seen; stronger than Kara and Kal combined. There's no way that electromagnetic field could have stopped her without an extra element. I know it was Kryptonite and I'm not complaining cuz it saved my ass. But it's also the one thing on this planet that can kill my sister, not to mention both Rowan and Ruby are part Krytptonian. So I'll ask again, where'd you get it Lena?"
"Lex had a secret stash."
"I don't believe you."
Lena hated that the agent had seen through the lie so quickly. "You have to trust me, Alex. I just wanted to help."
"I want to Lena. But you have to be straight with me." Alex slid painfully off the bed, preparing to approach the other woman. She could see that Lena was trembling, unshed tears making hers eyes glow bright. "Kryptonite is a controlled substance. The only way I can protect our family is if I know where this stuff is coming from."
"It came from my lab."
"What?!"
"Lex had tried for years to perfect the formula but I...I did it. I never intended to use it but then Reign struck and I...I thought if we could just build a defense against her." Lena finally hazarded a glance at the elder woman. Alex's jaw was clenched tight and she was leaning heavily against the bed.
"Does Kara know?"
"No, and you can't tell her!" Lena exclaimed, rushing towards Alex with hands outstretched.
"Are you kidding me? She has a right to know, Lena!"
"Who has a right to know what?" Both women turned towards the door to find Kara standing there, still in her super suit with a quizzical expression. "What's going on? And why aren't you in bed, Alex?"
The agent shot Lena a withering look but flopped back onto the bed, wincing at the impact. With her sister's help she was once again tucked in securely but tension hung heavy in the air.
"Now," Kara fluffed Alex's pillow one last time. "What are you two arguing about now?"
Alex remained tightlipped, her expression fierce. Lena stared at the agent with wide eyes, silently begging her to stay quiet. Finally, Lena approached the super, taking her hands gently in her own.
"Darling, I have something to tell you..."
Kara couldn't believe her ears.
