Chapter 7
"Come on", Kara whines, wiping the sweat off her brow, "I'm going to solarflare if I do anymore".
Alex huffs, "yeah alright. Everything looks ok anyway".
"Thanks", Kara says, pulling Alex in for a hug, "I'll be ok".
"You're just back-up", Alex says, warningly.
"Exactly", Kara says, "the ones in the pods shoot them down and we're out of there".
Alex nods, biting her lips. She knows its hypocritical of her to be so worried about when she won't even tell Kara that she is going to be one of those people piloting a pod. Hell, she definitely doesn't want to tell Sam.
"I can go home then", Kara asks, pout on full effect.
Alex chuckles, "Yeah go home, get some rest, some sun and I'll see you back here tomorrow".
"See you tomorrow", Kara says, giving Alex one last squeeze before speeding into the other room to wrap Lena in a hug.
Alex shakes her head at her sister and pack up the stuff before leaving herself.
Alex takes a deep breath, shrugging off her jacket and hanging it and her keys on their respective hooks.
"Hey", Sam says, peeking her head over the back of the couch. "What's wrong?", she asks, standing and walking around the couch to Alex who's still standing in the foyer.
"Where's Mom?", Alex asks, trying to avoid the conversation.
"Went back to Lena and Kara's", Sam says, "she's going to hang out until this mission is over just in case before she heads back to Midvale but wanted to get a jump on packing". Sam slowly steps closer until she's in arm's reach of Alex, "Now, what's wrong? You look… guilty and resigned".
Alex sighs before looking up to make contact with the golden hazel eyes she loves so much, "We've got 20 pods donated so far", she starts, hoping Sam will guess before she has to outright say it, "and 20 agents trained in the mechanics of each one along with some translator devices to further help them". She looks sadly at Sam, "They're all great and have firing capabilities but none are as advanced or powerful as the Kryptonian one we pulled out of storage…". Alex winces as she sees realization hit Sam. "Kara will be flying back up in the suit Lena made for space travel and… no one else speaks Kryptonian, she never provided any translations or anything for us to model a device on so that an agent could use it".
"But you know Kryptonian", Sam says, her voice quivering.
Alex sighs and nods carefully. "She's taught me a little over the years and I've picked up on more than she thinks. I'm the only one who can fly that pod, other than Kara herself".
"What about Clark?", Sam asks, hoping there is someone other than Alex that can go on this mission.
"He never learned", Alex shakes her head, "Another reason Kara and he don't get along. He has Kelex translate everything when he needs it and he doesn't care about the old ways because really he never knew about them". Alex stops herself from going into full ramble about the failure of Clark Kent to help Kara assimilate without destroying Kryptonian culture when he couldn't even be bothered to check in more than twice a year after dumping her on the Danvers' front steps. "I know it's scary but I promise you, it's going to be ok. We have a whole fleet that will be going with Kara as back-up and Brainy found out their ship will be extremely slow to fight back. It's huge and hard to control, so it gives us an advantage. We can get in and out before they have a chance to get off a single shot". Alex steps forward, drawing Sam close as the much taller brunette tucks her head under Alex's chin. "I promise. I will come home to you and Ruby. I know I've taken stupid risks and gone on every mission I could in the past but that was before you guys… before I had something to live for. I'm going because it's my duty and because it's a very low risk situation. I…", Alex's voice breaks as the lump in her throat grows, "I would never do anything to jeopardize what we have… what I've finally found…getting to be a mom and getting to do it with the most amazing partner I could ever have. I love you guys, so much, and I promise I will be right back here tomorrow night".
Sam nods against Alex chest and Alex holds her close even as her shirt, Sam's hair, and their cheeks start to dampen.
Sam pulls back, minutes later, and Alex wipes the tears from her face. Sam smiles, softly, "Let's have a movie night. Order pizza and fix popcorn and hot chocolate and build a fort nest or whatever that thing Kara taught Ruby is and just forget about tomorrow".
Alex smiles back at her, "That sounds amazing". She cups Sam's chin with one hand, the other still wrapped around her waist and pulls her in, kissing her softly, both of them enjoying the quiet, calm, intimacy of it. There's no heat or further intention behind the kiss just simple outpouring of the complex feelings bubbling in both of them and the love present in their every touch, glance, and thought.
Kara gently touches down on the balcony, boots barely making a sound, and gently eases her way through the doorway careful not to jostle Lena who has turned into a koala between the DEO and home. As soon as Kara took off from the DEO balcony, Lena dropped the brave face and tucked her head into Kara's neck and her arms around Kara and has refused to let go.
Kara smiles, ducking her head to kiss the dark hair tickling her chin and finally Lena untucks her head, but does not release her grip.
"There's those beautiful green eyes", Kara says, "I was afraid I was never going to see them again". She chuckles, as Lean rolls her eyes and reburies her face. "No, no. Zhao, please", Kara says, peppering her head with kisses, "I'm only teasing. I would be perfectly happy to carry you around like this with your head tucked in my neck forever". Kara can feel Lena's grin against her skin just before the Luthor pulls back again.
"That would make it rather hard to fly into space though".
Lena startles, scrambling out of Kara's hold and trying to straighten herself. Kara jumps at the scare and then the feeling of Lena falling out of her arms, leading them into an equally awkward position of Kara holding Lena by the waist, hovering slightly so she wouldn't hit the ground.
"Mom", Kara says, gently setting Lena down, "I thought you were with Sam and Ruby".
"I was but I had to get some packing done", Eliza says. Kara cocks her head confused and the older woman continues, "I'm going to stay through this mission, just in case something happens, Rao forbid, but I figured I should get some stuff squared away for once I leave".
"Oh um ok", Kara says, running a hand through her hair, "I'm sorry you're stay has been so weird. We haven't gotten to do much".
Eliza steps forward, "this visit was perfect. I got spend plenty of time with all four of my daughters and I got to see you comfortable at home. Not trying to impress or keep me busy but just relax and enjoy the time off while you had it".
Lena flushes, that sentence clearly aimed at her as much as Kara, "It's been wonderful having you. You know you can always stay here, anytime".
"And you are always welcome in Midvale", Eliza says, reaching out to take Lena's hand, "as long as you don't mind the boyband posters all over this ones room".
Kara huffs in offense and Lena chuckles, "I may have a new OTP but Britney and Justin are still the OG OTP", Lena smiles, looking at Kara, thinking about that lunch they had all those years ago.
Kara smiles back, looping an arm over Lena's shoulder and kissing her head, "We will visit more often, promise".
Eliza pulls them both into a tight hug. "Good because I expect at least monthly if not weekly visits with my grandchild", Eliza says, releasing them and striding down the hallway, leaving both women so shocked, not even Kara could try to ramble her way past that one.
Alex tries to focus on the movie and not think about tomorrow. She's never been this nervous for a mission. Well, not nervous but apprehensive. She knows she'll be safe and will do whatever she can to come back home to this, Sam curled up into her side, Ruby laying across their legs. This isn't even the first time she's flown the pod into space but it is the first time they've ever had to test the fighting capabilities.
A nudge at her side breaks her out of her thoughts and she looks down, meeting Sam's questioning gaze. Alex smiles, kissing Sam's forehead, giving her a look that says, I'm fine, I'll tell you later. Sam nods, understanding, and they both turn back to the TV and Alex rests her cheek on Sam's head, taking a deep breath and letting the anxiety melt away.
By the time to movie is over, Ruby is the only one still awake. She stands, careful not to wake them and carries the dishes into the kitchen before coming back. They didn't tell her what's going on tomorrow only that there was a big mission and she knows neither one of them want her to worry but she knows its bad because they both have their brows furrowed even in sleep.
Ruby gently kneels beside them, putting a hand on her mom's shoulder to shake them awake.
"Ruby?", Sam asks, "What's wrong?".
"Movie's over. You both fell asleep and I figured you'd both rather sleep upstairs than on the floor down here, no matter how comfortable it is", Ruby says.
Sam nods, wiping her eyes, "Thanks, baby".
Ruby smiles, hugging her mom, "Good night".
"Good night, Rubes", Sam says, kissing her head before the teen lets go.
Ruby leans over, kissing Alex's head too before heading upstairs.
Sam stretches, grabbing the remote to turn off the TV and the movement alerts Alex.
"Where you goin'", she mumbles, one hand wiping her face and the other reaching out to pull Sam back close.
Sam smiles, relenting to Alex's tugs and curls back into her, causing a sigh to leave the redhead's lips. "No where", Sam says, kissing Alex's cheek, "although we may want to go upstairs to sleep. Our backs will thanks us".
Alex lets out a small huff, "As much as I don't want to admit it, you're probably right".
"Probably?", Sam teases, "It's probably easier to count the injuries you haven't had than the ones you have. Your shoulder, your neck, breaking your arm, dislocating fingers, you always whine about your back, whatever you did to your hip a couple months ago, sprained ankles multiple times…". Sam is on a roll as she makes her way down Alex's body until she thinks about her knee and the memory of causing that injury flashes back. "your knee", she finishes the list solemnly and the fun, lighthearted teasing from a few minutes ago is ruined.
Alex immediately notices the change and pulls Sam's gaze back to her face, "Hey, hey. It wasn't your fault. We've talked about this… that was not your fault and I do NOT blame you. You didn't have control, I know that. I forgive you if that's what you need to hear and I will tell you over and over again. I love you and I know that wasn't the woman I love, because I know you would never do that. Ok?". Sam gives her a small nod, most of the remorse faded from her eyes. "Now come on. Let's get upstairs, my back is killing me", Alex jokes, kissing Sam's forehead before using the couch to stand up and holding a hand out to her.
Sam gives her a small chuckle and grabs her hand letting Alex pull her into an upright position, but the redhead doesn't back away, standing face to face with Sam. "Thanks", Sam says, almost bashfully, "and I love you too".
Alex grins, "Anytime, even though I'd hoped we were past that, I'll be here to tell you again whenever you need it".
Sam leans down, kissing Alex, "Come on, bedtime".
Alex smiles, returning the kiss and following Sam up the stairs, neither one letting go of the others hand.
They go through their respective nightly routines, barely leaving each others sight and making physical contact whenever they can, whether it be a teasing hip bump as Sam pass behind her, or an arm around Alex's waist as Sam reaches up to the top shelf.
They slide in bed together on each side, meeting in the middle. "Big or little?", Sam asks.
"Both", Alex says, scooting closer so they are flush against each other their legs gently intertwining. Sam flicks her hair back out of the way, laying down on the edge of her pillow and settles into the embrace. Alex leans forward, lightly brushing their lips together, one hand holding Sam's between them, the other brushing the escaped golden brown locks, behind Sam's ear. Sam uses her free hand to do the same Alex's after they've settled down.
"Good night", Alex whispers into the small space between them.
"Night Alex", Sam replies and they fall asleep comforted by the proximity to each other, their foreheads touching in the space between the pillows.
After watching some mindless TV and cuddles on the couch, as well as a heaping order of potstickers, the couple finally decides to head off to bed, Eliza having retired to her own room nearly an hour earlier.
They each go through their night routines rather solemnly and meet in bed. Kara, having gotten done much quicker thanks to her recovered speed, is propped against the headboard scrolling on her phone. When Lena approaches, Kara quickly puts the phone away and opens her arms. The brunette slides under the covers and snuggles into Kara, who scooches down into the bed and pulls Lena against her. Lena turns on her side, pressing her back flush against Kara's front.
"I'll be ok. I'll take yellow sun grenades and wear the full protection suit. I promise", Kara whispers before kissing Lena's shoulder, her hand going around Lena's waist.
"I trust you. I know you'll do everything to get back to me… us, but I worry", Lena says, thankful Kara can't see the look on her face even though her voice gives her away.
"What do you want right now?", Kara asks, her own voice heavy, with the knowledge that no matter what she says, the promises she makes, it won't stop Lena from worrying and that's not good for either her or the baby.
"Just hold me", Lena says, taking Kara's hand that was resting on her stomach and intertwining their fingers, kissing Kara's knuckles before settling them over her heart.
"Always", Kara says, kissing Lena's head before nestling as close as possible, burying her nose in the dark hair and taking a deep breath, letting the smell and feel of Lena, comfort her, "zhindif zhao(always my love)".
"Khap zhao rrip(I love you)", Lena says, with near perfect pronunciation, knowing Kara slips into kryptonian when her emotions are high, as she squeezes Kara's hand. They drift off, both feeling safe in the warm, strong, loving embrace of her wife, knowing whatever tomorrow brings, they'll figure out a way to beat it.
Kara barely sleeps, thankfully not waking Lena, and slides out of bed early, hoping to let Lena rest longer. She floats out the balcony door, grabbing a blanket on her way out and resting on the chair, soaking up the sun.
She should have known that going back to space would trigger some nightmares but she didn't imagine it would be this bad. Memories from both times in the Phantom Zone and even when she flew Fort Rozz out come flashing back all with much worse endings. Still, none of those altered memories compared to the thought of not coming home to Lena, to their baby. The worst nightmare Kara had last night, worse than even the ones the Phantoms put in her head, was the look on Lena's face, the thought of her standing in the DEO control center, face ashen as she collapses under the weight of the news. Kara woke up as soon as dream Lena collapsed only comforted by the tight grip the brunette kept on her in her sleep and the warm puffs of Lena's breath against her neck.
Kara slips in and out of consciousness, in and out of nightmares, out there on the balcony chair until she wakes with Lena in her lap.
"Hey", the blonde says her voice rough, "When'd you come out here?".
Lena sniffs, curling into Kara, burying her face in her shoulder, "When I woke up and you weren't there".
"Oh", Kara says, guilt taking over, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to wake you when I couldn't sleep so I came out here to get some extra sun. Baby, I'm sorry I wasn't there".
Lena shrugs, "It's ok. I found you before the panic attack set in". Kara tenses and Lena cringes, "Sorry bad joke".
"As long as you're ok", Kara says, settling back into the chair and holding Lena close, "What time is it?".
"Just after 9", Lena answers.
"We've got two hours before prep", Kara starts, "what will take your mind off this?".
"Me?", Lena asks, "You're the one that should be calmed and distracted".
Kara shakes her head, sliding her hand down to Lena's stomach, "No way. I'm ok. I know that I'll be safe and I'll have you on comms. I'm ready. I want to make sure you and the baby are ok, that you're not stressed or worried".
Lena turns sliding her arms around Kara's neck, "Let's just cuddle. Just you and me right here, as close as possible to each other".
Kara smiles. "Deal", she says, resting her lips against Lena's forehead in a long kiss, "Whatever you want".
Lena snuggles closer and Kara scooches down in the lounge chair so that they are almost horizontal, Lena resting comfortably on top of her.
"Can't sleep?", Sam asks, her hand rubbing circles, on Alex's collarbone where the strap of the tanktop slid off her shoulder.
"No, you?", Alex replies, turning to look at Sam, as she caresses her shoulder.
The two hadn't separated at all through the night, as they drifted in and out of sleep. Alex rolled over onto her back, pulling Sam half on top of her, and held her close with and arm around her shoulders. Sam kept her arm across Alex's chest, her hand resting right over the redhead's steady heart.
"No", Sam answers, "Are you nervous?".
"Not really nervous or scared just apprehensive I guess", Alex answers truthfully, "I know what's going to happen and it's very low risk. I'm kind of excited to go to space but I don't like all the unknowns".
Sam hums against Alex's chest, "I'm taking today off. Maybe take Ruby to the park or something. She knows something's not right and I hate to make her go school when she'd be unfocused anyway".
Alex smiles, "You're a good mom".
"Yeah?", Sam says, turning to look up at Alex, blushing, "I guess".
"Hey", Alex says, "You are. You're a great mom. To have been through what you've been through and raised such an amazing kid despite it all. I'm so lucky to gotten to see a small part of that and you have no idea how much I wish I could've been there for you sooner".
"You helped", Sam replies, "A lot. During the Reign stuff and even now, she loves you being here. I am sorry you missed the early years, I know you've always wanted to be a mom and you kind of just got the sucky teenager part of it".
"No part of knowing Ruby has been sucky and yeah I wish I could've been there to see all of it but I still do in a way. I see the product of the happy moments and the bad ones. I see the bond you two have that only comes from being a single mom on your own", Alex says, ready to go on when she's cut off my Sam's lips.
"Do you want all of it?", Sam asks.
"What do you mean?", Alex asks.
"I mean… do you want all of it?", Sam says, "to raise a kid from the beginning".
"Do you… do you want another one?", Alex says.
Sam shrugs but the corners of her mouth curl in a grin, "We're still young and spry enough to keep up with a little one".
"You're serious?", Alex asks.
"We should talk about it more and figure how we'd do it but yeah. I know you love Ruby and she knows and having one of our own won't make us love her any less. I think she'd be on board with the whole idea…", Sam starts to ramble only to be cut off by Alex this time.
"Yes", she says.
"Yes?", Sam asks.
"Yes", Alex affirms, "I mean we'll talk about it more and talk to Ruby about it but let's do it. Let's look into having a baby!".
Sam is speechless, unable to come up with words to describe how's she's feeling so she surges up, moving completely over Alex and takes her in a deep kiss.
Neither one of them tries to takes it any further, just enjoying the simple intimacy and promises of a future, barely stopping for oxygen until Alex's alarm goes off.
"Ugh", she growls, swatting at the nightstand to silence it before bring her hand back to Sam's hair, curling it back behind her ear and pulling her in again.
Sam chuckles, kissing back briefly before pushing up and laughs some more when Alex is holding a crunch trying to not disconnect their lips. "Come on", Sam says, "we have to get up. You've got be at the DEO in an hour".
"Just one more", Alex whines, trying to pull Sam close again.
Sam relents, kissing her again waiting for Alex's grip to relax before quickly rolling off her and sliding out of the bed.
"Nooo", Alex whines at the loss of contact, "you're mean".
"And you're going to be late", Sam teases, "Come on. I'll fix chocolate chip pancakes".
Alex thinks for a second before jumping out of bed and rushing out the door, pecking Sam on the lips on her way past, "well come on it's pancake o'clock".
Sam shakes her head, laughing and follows the energized woman downstairs.
After cuddles on the balcony and a huge breakfast prepared by Eliza, the three of them are ready to go. Kara flies Eliza to the DEO quickly while Lena finishes getting ready.
"You ok?", Kara asks, leaning against the door frame watching as Lena puts the finishing touches.
"Thankful I didn't get morning sickness today", Lena shrugs, coming to stand in front of Kara, sliding her hands up supersuit clad arms to wrap her arms around her neck. Kara straightens, placing her hands on Lena's hips.
"You ready?", Kara asks.
"Up, up, and away", Lena says, stepping up onto Kara's boots, on her tip toes to kiss the superhero.
Kara melts into the kiss, slowly levitating off the floor and floats them out the door to the DEO.
—
AN: Some fluff before big stuff happens. Thank you all so much for reading. I feel like I've been in this piece of story arc for a while now and yet still could write so much about it. To everyone who has read, reviewed, commented, kudos, etc. thank you so much it really doesn push me to want to write more.