Louisiana

1995

Carol Danvers, who until recently firmly identified as the Kree warrior Vers, sat down at the dining room table next to her tagalong, Nick Fury, and Maria's daughter, Monica. The ten-year-old girl was trying to help Carol regain her former memories via a collection of pictures and memorabilia splayed across the table.

Maria opted to stay out for now. Carol knew that Maria was processing some difficult emotions since she arrived, but the former Kree soldier felt that she was hiding something. Or were they that close as friends? This uncertainty was bothering Carol more than it should have. At least, it felt that way.

The excitable Monica ran her mouth excitedly, breaking Carol from her troubled thoughts. "This is from the science fair a year before the crash. You helped me build a mini rocket from leftover bottles. We won second place too! This one is from Christmas the year before. You got me that action figure I wanted. And this is another Halloween one. Look! We were both Captain Carter that year!"

Fury whispered glibly into Carol's ear, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were the man of this happy little family."

"Hush you," Carol brushed him off annoyed. She encouraged Monica to continue. As the little girl continued showing off the memorabilia, Carol's eyes were drawn to an unassuming little box sitting in the corner. Curious, Carol picked it up and opened it to find a simple gold band with an admittedly gorgeous-looking diamond.

Unexpectedly, Carol's thoughts were thrust into a previously lost memory.

A younger Carol, wearing a discrete baseball cap, was at a glass counter with a store associate beside her. She pointed at the ring that would be inside that box years later.

"A fine choice!", the store associate said with a smile that seemed genuine to Carol.

"You think so?" she asked.

"I know my rocks. It's a little unorthodox for you to be the one to do it, but I'm sure your man will appreciate it," the associate said with a hearty laugh.

Carol snickered with a knowing grin. "Well... I can tell you that we're anything but orthodox."

Carol continued staring at the ring like it just revealed a secret of the universe. To be fair, it just did.

Fury looked at his companion with genuine concern. "Hey. You okay?"

The blonde shook her head, trying to also shake this strange, gnawing feeling that was growing inside her. "I'm fine," she turned to Monica and asked, "Where did you find this?"

The little girl squinted at the ring for a second before shrugging. "It was just lying in one of the boxes. I... don't know where that came from."

Carol then turned to see Maria in the distance, sitting on the kitchen counter. Maria turned away from Carol's gaze with a hint of red on her cheeks. Carol's eyes widened. This strange feeling that had been gnawing at the back of her mind since she saw this woman finally had a name.

"Does that ring mean anything to you?" Fury asked.

Carol shook her head and put the box aside. "Uh... no. Not really," she turned to Monica, "Please. Continue."

Monica resumed her happy little show-and-tell. All the while, Carol shot longing glances at Maria intermittently as their daughter monologued.

Thoughts of lost love would have to wait for there were greater battles over the horizon. Once the revelation came that the Skrulls were the victims of this war, Carol Danvers and her allies joined Talos in liberating his people and securing the Tesseract from Mar-Vell's orbital lab. After Captain Marvel humbled both Yon-Rogg and the Kree fleet, however, that was when the course of Carol's life would be forever changed.

The Skrull survivors were at the Rambeau house after their harrowing encounter with the Kree. Fury was making plans with Talos, and Monica was talking to her new friend, G'iah. While the others rested and celebrated this victory, Carol and Maria managed to slip away to have a moment alone together.

The two women stood together alone in the backyard under the stars. They were going to have an understandably hard conversation.

"So... the ring," Carol began as she nervously played with her hands, "You found it."

Maria nodded sadly. "Some of our friends were kind enough to leave me your things after... you know. It hurt. It still does… but I didn't have the heart to get rid of it."

"I... I'm glad you didn't," Carol said softly, feeling better from hearing that.

Maria looked at the other woman with desperate eyes, which searched for something that she had long yearned for. "Carol... I got to know. For real. Did you... were you really going to…"

Carol took a moment to search her fractured mind. It took a hot second, but when she found it, a smile graced her face at last. "Yes. I am... was. I wasn't sure when I was going to pop the question, but... I was planning to."

A silence ensued. Carol and Maria were standing around like awkward schoolgirls with obvious crushes on each other.

Or like the first time they realized they had feelings for each other.

Maria then grinned. "How would that even work?"

"Excuse me?" Carol asked, looking confused.

Maria's voice took a teasing tone as she asked, "What was the plan, exactly? I assume there was a plan. One that preferably allowed us to keep our jobs."

Carol huffed and shrugged flippantly. "From what I can remember... we'd take some of our vacation days and go to... Vegas, I think."

Maria raised her brow. "Vegas?

Carol nodded. "Yeah. Vegas. I saved enough to buy the tickets. We'd then rent separate rooms in a hotel. To avoid suspicion, of course."

"Obviously."

"We'd go to the bar a couple of times…"

"Of course!"

Confidence growing, Carol then exclaimed, "Then we'd buy one of those novelty weddings, preferably in a crappy studio and with an Elvis officiating the ceremony, so if anyone gets wise, we'll just say we had a wild, perfectly platonic night. Plausible deniability!"

"Genius!" Maria yelled just as loudly. The two women shared a good-natured laugh at past Carol's expense. "You know, that's the kind of "Classic Danvers" thinking that got us to dunk ice water on Gary Brodsky's head. While we were on duty and with the general inspecting the base."

"That sexist prick deserved it," Carol said dismissively before a satisfied smirk formed on her face, "The look on his face when the general saw his wet, shivering butt... I doubt he looked "promotable" then. Plus, we didn't get caught. Did we?"

"No, we didn't... somehow," Maria grinned back. Unfortunately, nostalgia for the good old days was quickly replaced by uncertainty for the future. Her smile dropped as she asked, "So... what now?"

"I... I don't know," Carol answered as she returned to being a nervous wreck, "I mean, I know I'll be helping Talos and his people find a new homeworld. I owe them that much. But after that... I don't know."

"You're not staying, are you?" Maria asked with a defeated voice despite trying not to let it show on her face, "You're gonna go back out there. Help the Skrulls find a new home. Finish the war with the Kree."

"I don't know…" Carol repeated.

"If that's where your heart is…" Maria felt her heart begin to break as she said, "I think you should go."

Carol shakes her head. "Maria…"

"I... I mean it, Carol," Maria stuttered as she tried to be strong, "You don't have to... you don't have to feel tied down because of me. If you want to go…"

"But what if I don't want to?" Carol said softly as she drew closer to Maria.

Maria began to sob. "I heard what you told Talos. I know you want to make up for what you did to his people. I can't... bear it if I was the reason you couldn't do that…"

Carol's eyes began to water as well. "Then what kept you from saying something before we found that out?"

Maria took a deep breath and wiped her tears. "Carol... I lost the love of my life... for six years. I can remember days when I could barely breathe. Then you came back to me... but you didn't know who I was. I didn't know if you were going to stay, and I couldn't... I just couldn't... let myself hope that we could have a future together. Because if I lost you again…"

Maria was close to breaking. Carol stepped up and held the woman she loved in an embrace.

"You won't lose me. Ever," Carol whispered to her like a promise.

Maria didn't move. Her voice felt blank as she said, "But... you'll leave me. Again."

"I'll leave to help Talos find a new homeworld. But after that, I'll come home."

The two women separated as Maria wiped her tears. "You... you mean that?"

Carol kissed Maria on the forehead and then pressed her own to hers. "You and Monica come first. Before duty. Before everything. I love you."

"I love you…" Maria repeated as she finally embraced Carol. She missed this feeling. The feeling of the woman she loves in her arms.

One Week Later

Carol and Talos were standing over the outskirts of a new Skrull colony near the Xandarian border, far away from the reach of the Kree. Prefabs and essential infrastructure were being constructed in front of them. Under the soaring of freighters and cargo ships, the two enemies of the Kree talked.

"The colony is coming up nicely," Carol said as she looked at the hustle and bustle with approval.

"And ahead of schedule," Talos replied, "Everything should be up and running by the end of the day."

"Good," Carol nodded with relief.

"You sure I can't persuade you to stay?" Talos asked, "We could always do well with a soldier like you on our side."

Carol shook her head. "I appreciate the offer, but I have a family, Talos. One that I've been neglecting for too long. I sympathize with your plight. I really do. But my first priority is to them. Always."

Talos let out a disappointed sigh, but he nodded. "I understand completely. May I trouble you with a bit of advice before you leave? One parent-slash-spouse to another?"

"Shoot."

"Don't take them for granted. And don't ever let them go. Because you'll never know how much time you have left," Talos said as his thoughts briefly touched on those years he had lost with his family.

Carol nodded solemnly. "Thanks. I will."

"Plus, if things don't work out too well on Earth, you can always move the family here," Talos remarked as he returned to his regular joviality, "We're more than happy to take in the mighty Captain Marvel."

Carol chuckled. "I see what you did there. If it makes you feel better, I'm more than happy to give you Goose. I'm sure she's more than capable of being this colony's protector."

Talos glanced over to Carol's pet Flerken, who was currently playing tug-of-war with one of his men over a meat carcass. Those hideous tentacles sprouting out of her inhuman maw were enough to give Talos nightmares to last the week.

Grimacing, Talos replied, "Tempting offer... but I'll pass."

Carol then took out a strangely advanced pager and handed it to Talos. "Then here's the next best thing."

Talos took the strange device and raised his brow in confusion. "What is it?"

"It's a pager. A communication device from Earth, though I souped it up with a little Kree tech. Should be good for over a galaxy or two. If you or your people ever need my help, give me a call. I'll be there in a heartbeat."

Talos smiles at Carol gratefully. "You're a true friend to the Skrull people, Carol Danvers."

She took his hand in a firm handshake. "It's for emergencies only. But you're welcome."

Back on Earth, it was currently nighttime at the Rambeau house. With Monica asleep in bed, Maria came out and sat on the steps. She had been staring at the stars for one of them to bring Carol back to her.

It's been hours, though. Just as Maria was ready to walk off and cry into her bed, however...

"You weren't planning to go to bed without me, were you?"

Maria turned to see Carol standing in front of her wearing that leather jacket over her colorful uniform. Maria approached her cautiously, almost disbelieving what she was seeing. "You... you came back."

Carol chuckled. "Of course, I came back. I promised, didn't I? And I need to be here to do this," she then pulled out the box from her jacket. Carol went down on one knee and presented the ring that she should've shown to Maria years ago. "Maria Rambeau, can we… can we, uh, finally get this thing done?" Carol's confident facade broke as she let out a nervous cough. "Ah damn, I thought I had that down. I've been practicing all wee…"

Maria got down on her knees and interrupted Carol with a passionate kiss. Carol was a nervous and embarrassed mess a moment ago, but she melted into that kiss. It felt like fire, and Carol never wanted to stop burning. Carol wrapped her arms around Maria's waist, and the other woman pressed the back of the blonde's head, deepening the kiss.

Once the two women separated, Maria was panting contently. "Yes… I will marry you, Carol Danvers. I love you…"

Carol smiled as she allowed happy tears to flow down her cheeks. "I love you too… forever and always."

She then pulled Maria into a gentler, more tender kiss under a beautiful night sky. Carol didn't know what the future would hold. How the Skrulls will fare. When the Kree will strike again. But she is certain of this.

For this moment in time… she was home.

Las Vegas

Another Week Later

It was over an hour after a man wearing a cardboard "Hydra Stomper'' costume unofficially wedded Carol Danvers and Maria Rambeau. It was understandably a small ceremony with only their most trusted friends (i.e. the Skrulls in disguise and Nick Fury). Monica, however, was left with her grandparents. It wasn't time yet to burden her with this secret, they thought.

Carol was staring at Maria from the bar as she talked to Soren, Talos' wife. There was nothing but love in her eyes as she waited for the woman she loved.

Then, Nick Fury sat down right next to her. "Congratulations, Mrs. Danvers!" Fury cheered, "Or is it Mrs. Rambeau? Or maybe Danvers-Rambeau? Rambeau-Danvers?"

Carol chuckled and downed her shot. "It's still Danvers, Fury. It'd be suspicious for your new pilot if she had the same last name as her "roommate."

Fury nodded as he picked up his drink. "Yeah, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is total bullshit. So are the politicians that made it."

"Any reason why you're sucking up to me, Fury?" Carol asked with her brow raised, "Not that I mind having my opinions validated by others... but I'm always suspicious when someone does it to my face. On principle, you know."

"I guess we're past formalities at this point. Let's cut to the chase. I don't just want your wife on my team, Carol. I want you."

Carol let out a laugh. "My new wife doesn't share, Fury. Also, I'm a lesbian."

Fury groaned as he motioned for another drink. "Don't be a smartass, Danvers. SHIELD could use someone like you the next time the Kree or some other threat knocks down our door."

"When the time comes, I'm in. I promise. But right now, I'm thinking that with Maria in SHIELD doing God knows what all over the world, Monica could use at least one consistent parent in her life."

"Never took you for the "putting down roots" type."

"Depends on if the soil is good."

Fury sighed as he picked up his refilled drink. "Alright. I guess that's the best I can get. I have to look somewhere else for my new Avengers Initiative."

"Aw! You named it after me! So cute!" Carol teased.

Fury rolled his eyes. "Well, if "superhero" isn't going to be in your future any time soon, I'm guessing the woman who's been legally dead for six years has another job opportunity lined up?"

Carol paused as the bartender gave her another drink. "I... never thought about that."

Fury grinned. It was his turn to make fun. "So I'm guessing "stay-at-home mom" is in the cards at the moment?"

"No, I want to work," Carol said as she gulped the next drink down fast. "God, I love Monica, but I'd drive myself crazy if I had to stay in the house all day. I guess... I have to roll the dice. Hopefully, someone takes pity on poor old me."

"Or…"

Carol glared at her friend disapprovingly. "Really Fury? That's low. I thought you were better than that."

"It's got nothing to do with the Avengers Initiative. Don't worry. It's just that an... associate of mine has heard of you. He told me he could use someone like you on his staff." The door opened. "And here he is."

Carol turned to see a bald, black man rolling towards her in a wheelchair. He had on a fine suit and a friendly smile. He spoke in a posh, British accent, "Carol Danvers. My name is Professor Charles Xavier. I run a private school for... shall we say, "gifted" children. How would you like to join us?"

For the sake of transparency, I admit that this chapter was recycled from a story of mine that has long since been deleted. I edited a fair bit, mostly converting the previous screenplay format to a more traditional prose one. When I wrote this chapter for that previous story, I intended it to be a prologue to a grander time travel story. This time, however, I'll mostly just write slice-of-life stuff for my favorite MCU ship. I do plan on writing more dramatic/action-filled story arcs later though. For now, I'm just doing fluffy episodes, and the next chapter is purely original.

I'll be playing fast and loose with continuity here. As you saw, I already messed with the canon beyond this simple "what if" scenario by having Captain Carter instead of Captain America. While I'll stick to the MCU interpretation as a baseline, I will play with the canon more than a bit. We will definitely see a different team by the time we reach the era of the first Avengers movie.

As for why Professor Xavier is black in this, I originally wrote that in from the first draft. I heard rumors that the Charles Xavier in the future MCU X-Men film will be black. Seeing a chance for more diversity, I took it, and I still retain that change in this new story.

Although the Marvels didn't do so well at the box office, I am still glad that it got released. Like its predecessor, it made me remember why I love this ship and the characters in it. It inspired me to write fanfiction again, and I'll ride that feeling for as long as it takes me. I still recommend you watch it at least once. In this case, box office numbers are not a signifier of quality.