-Waverider, Temporal zone-
Ava is punching bags at the new section of the lab the Legends use as a gym. Her expression is cool and focused. Her face is flushed and the sweat is indicator of the amount of time she's been there.
She kicked the bag violently, shaking her head, as if kicking out some unwelcome thoughts.
"Knock, knock"
Ava stops moving and turns her head to find Zari Tarazi at the door. "I brought book club." She said.
Zari Tomaz, Nora and Astra walked in after her, and all four women sat down at the couch. (Of course the Legends' gym has a couch)
Ava smiled, a bit confused by the visit, but pleased. She grabbed a towel to dry her face and neck and walked towards her friends. Joining them on the couch, she noticed Zari Tarazi had a plate of cookies in her hands and Nora was holding Gary Jr. the rabbit.
"What are you doing here? It must be 4am." Ava asked. She reached out to hold the bunny in her lap and pet it.
"It's 4:15 am." Zari 1.0 said.
"We are here" Nora said "because we are doing a bookclub meeting."
"In the middle of the night?"
"Listen, Ava. You said the other day we could join you in your sleepless nights so here we are." Zari 2.0 said. She earned an approving look from her other self. "We brought healthy snacks Gideon made."
Ava smiled to herself. Gideon. "You've always been there, right Gideon?" She asked.
"That's correct, captain." The AI replied. "Happy to be part of the book club this time."
Sara was finally resting in her room/cell. Everything in her body hurt so she tried to move the minimum. Apparently she had a couple of days to recover now before the next round of the competition. She was hoping with all her heart that she would skip it.
When did a Legend ever go quietly? She remembered with a sad smile. Her mind took her to that time when Ava and her fought on the Waverider for the first time. Her mind took her to that moment when Ava pressed her hand on Sara's chest and used all her love to bring her back from the dark. When did a Legend ever go quietly? The echoes took her mind to a happy place…
"Are you sure everything will be under control on the ship?" Ava asked.
"Yes, don't worry." Sara assured her. "Right, Gideon?"
"Right, Captain. I will make sure the Legends are safe and stay out of trouble." Gideon's voice sounded confident.
Ava met Sara's eyes for an instant and then they kept walking toward the Jumpship.
"Have fun, lovebirds." Gideon chanted, making Sara roll her eyes.
They set course to Starling City, December 31 in the year 1999.
"Where are we going?" Ava asked hugging Sara from behind.
Sara closed her eyes to the gentle touch. "I am taking you to a moment that I think you will like very much."
"I would like any moment with you." Ava said, kissing her shoulder.
Sara turned around placing her arms around Ava's neck.
Before they had time for any more conversation, the jumpship had arrived to destination. They stepped outside.
They were in a deserted parking lot, a cold breeze greeted them.
Sara took Ava's hand and guided her towards a hill nearby. There was more people there, all sitting on the grass in little groups, chatting happily. Sara and Ava picked a place to sit down, separated from everyone else.
It was perfect. The sky was clear, the stars were bright, just like Sara remembered.
Ava admired the view and then looked at Sara, confused. But before she could ask, the people around them started a countdown.
10...9...8...7…
Sara's eyes met hers when she joined the voices. 6… 5…4…
Ava was beyond confused at this point, hipnotyzed by Sara's eyes. 3… 2… 1…
Sara kissed her, gently, lovingly. "Happy new millennium" she whispered. And chuckled at Ava's expression.
Then their eyes turned to the sky, suddenly full of fireworks. It was magical.
Before getting back to the ship, Ava had pulled out a camera and snapped a selfie of them.
When did a Legend ever go quietly? She had said.
The book club girls laughed. Ava took a bite from a cookie, smiling. "Yeah, and then as soon as I got to my apartment Gideon called!"
"What? How did she get your number?" Zari 2.0 asked.
"She can get inside people's heads" Zari 1.0 whispered.
"Why did she call?" Nora asked, biting a cookie.
"She said I forgot my camera on the ship but my photo was safe." Ava explained. She looked at her confused friends. "I didn't understand that at first either. But the next morning there was a package in my doorstep. It was the picture, in a beautiful frame."
Ava smiled to herself. Finally, she had proof. Proof of a real memory. A very happy and unique real memory.
So she had placed that framed picture near the entrance of her apartment, and every time she walked by... Ava took in all the happiness again.
