So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you”
Paulo Coelho
National City, Earth Prime
An Apartment on First Street
Esme opened the door to the apartment's master suite, her wide green eyes peeking in as she whispered. “Ms. Maggie?” She pushed the door a little further open, causing the hinges to squeak. She saw Maggie stir and spoke a little louder. “I had a bad dream. Can I…” The volume of her voice dropped as she asked. “Can we sleep in your room with you?” Innocent eyes and a gremlin smile peeked from behind a supergirl plushie.
Maggie Sawyer rolled over, bringing her hand up to protect her squinting eyes from the bright hallway light. Even though she wasn’t quite awake, a small smile came to her lips, as Esme made her way slowly into the room, still looking over the yellow fabric of her plushie’s hair. “Hop up, I’ll go get your blanket and pillow, okay? Maggie rolled out of bed and padded down the short hallway to the spare bedroom and pulled the Supergirl throw and a pillow off the bed and returned to her room. She stopped and leaned against the doorframe watching as Esme took over the detective’s side of the bed. Sighing heavily, the sleepy brunette made her way to the small recliner in the corner by the bookshelf. She took a seat, laid the chair all the way back, fluffed the pillow and shook the throw out over her feet and legs chuckling as the blonde superhero stared up at her.
>>>
Alex and Kara’s Apartment
Alex Danvers shot up and stared at nothing as the nightmare ended. “Damn, it's been four months and it was my choice. Why does it still hurt?” She asked the ceiling as she fell back on her pillow and covered her eyes with her forearm.
”Alex? You’re up? Kara asked from the hallway. Blue eyes, filled with sisterly concern peered from around the door frame. She resisted the first words that came to mind, fearing her sister’s wrath. “How ya feeling?” She asked with what she hoped was nonchalance.
Alex rubbed her hands over her face. Her mind transporting her back to the sight that had led her to this point. There was Kelly with her wife, agent Camila Sanchez, leaving the DEO’s National City Headquarters, hand in hand. Alex’s mind was still overwhelmed after J’onn had restored her memories, reminding her painfully of the world before the Crisis. J’onn, thank Rao he had been there, asked her if she wanted Kelly’s memories restored when, out of nowhere, a small child jumped into Camila’s arms. Alex just waved him off. Pushing herself up and off the pillow, she looked at her sister and responded. “I’m better, Kar.”
Kara just looked at her sister and nodded, after the tears, anger, and heartbreak she’d been living with, she would accept better after almost four months. “Don’t forget you promised to help Lena at the foundation clinic today.” She called out, then turned and headed towards the kitchen.
>>>
Lena’s Foundation
Lena opened her office door, welcoming Alex in with a huge, but exhausted grin. “Alex.” Lena gushed. “I can’t thank you enough for coming in today, I didn’t think the clinic would get this busy, this fast.” Lena was so much more relaxed than she’d been four months ago, when the world thought Lex Luthor was the best thing since sliced bread and a certain Kryptonian had shared a secret for the second time.
”This has been really…” Alex took a deep breath, a smile coming to her own lips. “Really fun. A real chance to use my medical skills for more than just patching up the troops and making sure Kara’s okay. Thanks for asking me to help out.”
”How are you doing?” Lena asked, moving towards the middle of the office leading Alex by the hand as they took seats opposite of one another on twin couches. Her eyes were filled with care as she followed up her first question. “How do you really feel?”
”You talked to Kara?” Alex smiled, shaking her head that Lena and Kara had fallen back into normal habits after almost a year of anger with each other. “It still hurts, but it really is better.” Alex reassured her, reaching across the small coffee table and squeezing Lena’s offered hand. “I appreciate you and Kara, having two sisters is great, but it’s up to me to move on.”
”If you need anything, personally or professionally, can you let me know? Lena asked, beaming at Alex’s inclusion of her in the family. They both turned as Kara opened the door to the office and showed off two bags from Big Belly.
>>>
After lunch, Alex returned to the clinic. Her afternoon was mostly routine with the occasional stitch or a test for the rare something she hadn’t seen before. Around four o’clock as she started to gather her things, there was a knock on her door. “Come in.” Alex called out.
”Dr. Danvers, we have someone who asked for you by name. Recommended by a friend of yours were her exact words” The nurse smiled as Alex’s head came up from what she was doing, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. “The patient's guardian said that Katherine Kane gave your name specifically. That you are an expert in the field”
”Send them in.” Alex said with a shrug, her curiosity written all over her face.
Five minutes later, a young girl with pigtails and large expressive eyes bounced into the exam room followed by someone Alex thought she’d never see again, Sergeant Margarita Sawyer.
Alex’s gaze locked on Maggie for just a single moment, time stopped, but before Alex drowned in the river of memories that threatened to floodb her mind, Esme spoke and the spell was broken. “Are you Dr. Alex? Auntie Kate said you might be able to help me.”
>>>
Alex started with the usual work up, all of her attention on Esme, trying to avoid Maggie unless the question required a more adult answer. “So, Sergeant Sawyer? How often do the—I shouldn’t say symptoms, maybe we can call them events? How often do they occur?
Maggie tapped her fingers on the table, and Alex’s heart ached at the sudden overwhelming memory of Mags working on a case, her nails playing out the same song, the same cadence, the same…everything. “Um, Doctor Danvers?”
”What?” Alex blushed, turning away and running a sleeve on eyes suddenly filled with moisture. “Oh sorry, I was thinking about…” She paused and took a shaky breath. “Sorry again. Now, what were you saying?”
“Normally the events only occur when there is another alien around, someone with…” Maggie’s voice lowered conspicuously. “Inhuman powers.” She sighed. “That sounds so terrible, sorry.”
”I think Esme is a mimic?” Alex asked no one in particular while disregarding Maggie's comment. Ignoring Maggie’s look, Alex took a seat on the floor beside the little girl. “Esme? How does it feel when you copy someone else?”
”It’s weird.” Esme answered, spinning on the floor and facing Alex, her head tilted to one side.
”Weird, how?” Alex asked, all her attention focused completely on Esme.
Esme was bouncing her leg. “It’s like when Ms. Maggie lets me have some of her coke at lunch. I just want to run, only it's all up here.” Esme points at her head. “Ms. Maggie won’t let me have a lot of candy or soda, she thinks it makes me hyper.”
”I’ve never told you that.” Maggie says, suddenly defensive.
”Remember when Mr. Cronns came up to visit. I could hear you.” Esme responded, her head tilted to the side so she could see around Alex. “You were talking to Mrs. Cronns and you said two things at the same time.”
Maggie looked confused and Alex watched her reation, thinking about what Esme was saying. “Sergeant Sawyer?” Alex asked, an idea forming, an experiment they could try.
Maggie blinked, her mind reeling from Esme’s confession. “Call me Maggie or Sawyer, please.” The police officer insisted, absentmindedly.
”I’d like to try an experiment?” Alex asked. “I…Sorry we have a nurse on staff that is an alien, she’s a telepath. I think Esme was listening to you talk and to your thoughts at the same time, and they overlapped in her head.”
“We won’t leave this room. I promise she won’t be exposed to anyone else.” Alex resisted the urge to grab Maggie’s hands to soothe the signs of worry in the woman’s beautiful brown eyes. She stopped herself by making fists and pulling away. “If you are uncomfortable with the idea, we won’t do it.”
”Try it, please.” Maggie smiled, rubbing her hands together in nervous anticipation. The motion reminded Alex of them working together, about to execute any of the operations they’d planned together.
’She’s not your Maggie, Danvers. Keep it together.’ Alex thought to herself, as she stepped around the cop and opened the door. “I’ll be right back.” Before walking out, she called out over Maggie’s head. “Esme, you want to try and use your powers?”
Esme nodded enthusiastically, and that set the doctor in motion.
>>>
Alex returned about fifteen minutes later, stopping as she watched Maggie, sitting on the floor playing dolls with Esme. Her heart hammered in her ears at the sight and she swallowed back tears.
A pink skinned Nurse walked in behind her and they all watched in wonder as Esme started to look around. Panic started to set in and horror clouded Esme’s eyes. “Ms. Maggie!” Esme cried out, trying to cover her ears with small hands. “It’s loud. It’s too loud.”
The nurse immediately rushed out of the small exam room, and Alex rushed forward and slid to her knees in front of the child. “Esme. It’s okay. Are you okay?” She quickly checked the child over, scanning for anything physical. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t think it would hurt. Are you going to be okay?” Alex gushed, her hands on Esme’s shoulders.
Esme sniffled once, then nodded, her eyes were still watering when Alex pulled two lollipops from the pocket of her lab coat. “Grape or cherry?”
”Grape.” Esme laughed as she reached for the purple candy, her pain forgotten. Alex stretched as she turned and got to her feet. She extended the red one to Maggie, who still seemed to be in a bit of shock from Esme’s reaction.
”She’s okay?” Maggie asks in a shocked whisper. “She’s really okay?”
“Yeah, yes.” Alex stuttered. “She’s going to be okay, sorry about that. Didn’t think we would get such an extreme reaction“ Alex took a deep breath to calm herself down.
”You have a real gift for kids, Doctor Danvers.” Maggie smiled as she got her nerves under control.
A shaky smile appeared on Alex’s face. “Candy is a great motivator to forget fear, she got my last grape one, so I guess you get the cherry, Mags…Maggie.” Shaking her head, the red head apologized and hastily explained. “I used to have a friend named Maggie, that was my nickname for her.”
Maggie chuckled as she tore the lollipop from its wrapper, and stuck it in her mouth. “It’s been a long time since anyone offered me a cherry.” Maggie paused when she realized what she had said.
Both women blushed as they struggled not to laugh. Alex broke the stalemate first and turned and crawled back on the floor beside Esme, asking the small child questions about the experience she had just suffered through.
Maggie watched in wonder as Alex seemed to glean every bit of information she could from Esme. Asking hard questions but phrasing them in a way that Esme could answer them easily. When it was clear that Esme had had enough, Alex stood up and brushed her hands off. She walked towards the door, where she had left the chart and scribbled some notes. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, she approached Maggie once again. “Esme needs more testing, and if today was any indication, she probably is going to have to learn to control multiple weird and unusual powers at once, if you like I can look into that for you.”
Maggie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. “I don’t have that kind of money.”
Alex shook her head, resisting the urge to reach out to calm the woman in front of her. “Lena’s.” She paused to correct herself. “I’m sorry, Ms. Luthor’s foundation will cover everything. I will personally ask her, I promise.” She was thinking to herself. ‘I know Lena won’t mind, and even if she does, Kate can pay for it.’ A surge of anger at Batwoman rose and Alex swallowed it down.
”You’re sure? I’m on a cop’s salary and this sounds like it will be really expensive.” Maggie responded, shellshocked. She wasn’t used to allowing someone else to solve her problems and she definitely was not a fan of taking charity.
”You never planned on having kids did you? And I bet you didn’t have much family growing up?” Alex asked, as much to see how much this Maggie was like hers as to help.
”No, not really. Kid’s never really seemed to be something I felt I needed to make myself whole. Does that make sense?” Alex nodded and Maggie continued. “Then Esme came along, and I can’t seem to get enough, something about that kid, just…feels right.”
”From what I see, you are doing a fantastic job, Maggie.” Alex smiled, then volunteered. “I’ve always wanted kids, but it doesn’t seem to be in the cards.” It really hurt to admit that and she swallowed hard.
Maggie tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes at the doctor’ reaction. “Medical?”
”Haven’t found the right girl?” Alex smiled, the hint of sadness still in her eyes as Kelly’s family strolled through her recent memories.
>>>
Alex grabbed her things and walked Maggie to the front counter, assisting as they made an appointment for the next week. “Maggie, if it’s okay, I would like to bring in someone from my other job.” Alex took a deep breath and continued. “I work for the DEO and I have several contacts among the Aliens in National City.”
”Yeah, I watch the commercials, Director Danvers.” Maggie smirked, causing Alex’s knees to go weak and her brain to momentarily short circuit. “Plus I’m pretty good at my job. When Kate suggested I bring Esme to see you, I used my own contacts to do a little research.”
”I hope I passed.” Alex smiled and shrugged.
”We wouldn’t have been here otherwise.” Maggie responded. “To answer your question, bringing in someone you trust is okay. Esme likes you and her opinion goes a long way in helping me form my own when people interact with her and I together.”
”Wow.” Alex gasped out loud, suddenly aware of how much this Maggie was different, but still the same as the one she’d lost when the worlds merged. “That’s probably the most motherly thing I’ve ever heard.”
”She brings out the best in me.” Maggie frowned slightly and her eyes hinted at a memory of sadness.
”You know I actually minored in psychology if you need someone to talk to.” Alex volunteered and even though she knew it was a bad joke, she got the reaction she hoped for.
”Hahahaha.” Maggie laughed. “That’s the worst pickup line I have ever heard.”
Alex shrugged and smiled then turned and squatted to say goodbye to Esme. “Bye sweetheart, I’ll see you next week with another friend”
”Bye Dr. Alex.” The little girl said excitedly, almost flying into Alex’s arms.
Alex lifted Esme up and waved Kara away out of sight of Maggie’s curious stare.
Kara pivoted quickly and headed away from her sister, her eyes locked on Maggie, a look of pure shock on her own face.
Maggie watched the blonde walk away, eyes moving back and forth between Alex and Kara’s retreating form.
”Old girlfriend or current girlfriend?” Maggie blurted out. “She seemed a little surprised to see you with another woman.
”Sister.” Alex responded, her emotions finally rising from behind the wall she had built over the last four months. First among those emotions was anger, especially with a certain redhead that was currently in National City.
>>>
Watching Maggie and Esme board the bus, Alex let her anger boil to the top for a moment, removed her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Katherine Kane’s number. “Al’s Dive Bar, one hour!” She growled into the phone as her friend picked up. Alex disconnected the call before Kate could respond.
”Was that Maggie?” Kara asked, worry and concern evident in her voice.
”Yes.” The word escaped quietly from her lips as Alex walked down the stairs and headed towards her meeting with Kate.
”Alex, I didn’t think…” Kara called behind her sister.
”It’s okay, Kara. I know you didn’t do this.” Alex said over her shoulder, her anger going from a simmer to a boil at Kara’s innocent response to her temper. ‘Don’t take it out on your sister Alex, she couldn’t have known that Kate and Maggie were friends.’ Alex thought to herself as she continued down the sidewalk.
>>>
Maggie got Esme settled into her seat on the busy bus, smiling as she watched Alex strut away from the clinic, frowning as she noticed a tension in the woman’s face as she turned and spoke to her sister. ‘Wonder what that is about?’ Maggie thought to herself.
”Ms. Maggie, Why did Dr. Alex think about kissing you?” Esme asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.
>>>
Al’s Dive Bar
Alex was sipping her beer at a small isolated table at the back of Al’s Dive Bar rubbing her hand over the spot where she had carved her and Maggie’s initials on Earth 38. ‘Dammit!’ she thought to herself. ‘Couldn’t I have one thing from home?’ The missing marks and her bad temper led her to relive some of her favorite dates with Maggie before everything fell apart. The pool table where she had lost so many small, silly bets. The feel of Maggie rubbing her back as they danced to silly little love songs. Bad food and good beer when they had both worked late and just needed an hour of each other’s company. Even the table held memories of intimate kisses and conversations full of their adventures of the day. When memories of her almost death invaded her thoughts, she scrubbed her face trying to push away all the good and bad memories, telling herself over and over that the woman she met was not her Maggie. She looked up from the table and her anger boiled over again as Kate Kane walked into the bar and their eyes met.
”Hi Alex.” Kate said, her eyes full of guilt, but her mouth was moving faster than her thoughts. “I guess you didn’t like my surprise.”
”Go to hell, Auntie Kate!” Alex growled, using the sweet nickname almost as well as she could use her gun. “I can’t believe you pulled that shit on me.”
”I thought maybe…” Kate stopped talking as Alex pointed at her.
”Shut up, Kate.” Alex was angrier than she had been after being forced to let Kelly go. “You know all about my history with Mags, and you still pulled this. Do you have any idea how badly I wanted to tell her everything? Do you understand how badly it hurts that I can’t?”
Kate shifted uncomfortably in her seat, unsure of what to say or do. She opened her mouth, but was once again cut off.
”Dammit Kate, I thought we were friends. I thought we cared for each other, especially since we both understand everything that we lost during the crisis.” Alex took a drink and slammed her empty glass to the table. “I wanted to kiss her, I wanted to…” Alex slumped onto the table, breathing hard as her anger evaporated. “Dammit, Kate, I didn’t realize how much I missed her, till she was standing right in front of me.”
”Alex, I really am sorry.” Kate whispered as she rose from her seat and headed to the bar, returning with two shot glasses and a bottle of Alex’s favorite scotch. “You done being mad at me?” The redhead asked, setting the liquor and glasses on the table.
”You are such a bitch.” Alex stated without any anger in her voice. “What am I going to do now?”
”Tell her…” Kate paused and downed a shot. “Tell her the truth, Alex.”
>>>
Maggie’s Apartment
Across town at her apartment, Maggie stood in front of the stove, stirring pasta and sipping a small glass of white wine. “Alexandra Danvers wanted to kiss me? She barely knows me, so why?” She was mumbling to herself while Esme sat drawing at the table.
”She thought you were pretty, Ms. Maggie.” Esme answered absentmindedly as she picked up a blue crayon and continued to work on her drawing.
Maggie stopped stirring and looked at her little girl. “Are you sure?” The detective asked. ’Does it matter?’ She thought to herself.
”Uh huh.” Esme nodded and continued to work, her tongue stuck out in concentration.
’She was kinda hot.’ Maggie thought, hoping Mr. Cronns wasn’t nearby.
>>>
Al’s Dive Bar
”What truth? That I knew her on another Earth?” Alex asked incredulously. “She’ll think I lost my freaking mind, Kate.”
”You do remember what she does for a living, the things she deals with, right Alex?” Kate responded with a question of her own, then answered it. “She’s with the Science Police, the unit that handles people from other planets. She also has custody of a little girl who just happens to have powers.”
”Hi Maggie, I know you don’t know me, but we were engaged on the Earth I come from.” Alex said sarcastically. “Even I can’t believe I just said that.” She rubbed her temples with her thumb and forefinger, then took a sip of scotch. “Kate, I don’t even know if she is interested in me.”
”Get a grip, Alex, you need to think smaller than an engagement. How about you ask her out first.” Kate chuckled as she raised her own glass.
”Her foster kid is a patient.” Alex answered, shrugging her shoulders, as if that explained her cowardice.
”You worked for rival law enforcement agencies back at home. It’s not that big of a deal, Alex. Stop overthinking it and just ask her. What’s the worst thing she can say?” Kate asked.
”Yes.” Alex closed her eyes and leaned her head down, resting it on the table.
>>>
Maggie’s Apartment
Maggie tucked Esme in and settled into bed, picking up a book from her bedside table and trying to read. When she realized she’d read the same paragraph three times, she set the book down, and turned on the TV.
”I’m Director Alexandra Danvers, and I endorse this message.”A bright smile and gorgeous brown eyes seemed to look directly at her from the large screen.
”Okay, this is ridiculous.” Maggie snorted. “I can’t get away from you.”
>>>
Alex and Kara’s Apartment
Alex unlocked the door and stepped into the two bedroom apartment she shared with Kara and after removing her shoes, made her way to her bedroom.
”Alex, you okay?” Kara called from her bedroom. “Are you still mad?”
Alex smiled and opened Kara’s door. “Hey sis.” Her gaze fixed on Kara’s girlfriend, who had just come out of the bathroom, wearing one of Kara’s oversized t-shirts. “Hi, Lena. Did you know too?”
”Know what?” Lena asked, genuinely confused based on the look on her face.
”Maggie Sawyer came into the clinic today, with an alien child who can mimic other aliens' powers.” Alex responded clinically, never taking her eyes off of her sister's girlfriend.
Lena turned to Kara, her gaze locking on her blonde girlfriend. “Kara?”
”It wasn’t Kara.” Alex laughed, defending her sister’s innocence. “It was Kate.”
”Kate? Kate Kane!?” Lena was quite thoroughly shocked. “What was she thinking?”
”That she could get me to stop thinking about Kelly.” Alex admitted with a small frown. “It kinda worked.” She smirked.
The blonde and brunette in the bed stared, wide eyed at Alex’s admission. Kara finally spoke first. “It did?”
”Yeah, I think I’m going to ask her out.” Alex closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Kara? Can I ask something?”
”Sure. Anything.” Kara answered with a dazzling smile, primarily because she hadn’t messed up and secondly because she had missed this side of Alex.
”How hard was it for you to tell Lena the truth about your identity when we woke up on this Earth and you didn’t think she knew?” Alex asked, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
Kara pulled her knees up to her chest, her normal position when she was nervous or scared, and looked from Alex to Lena. “It was hard, because I thought it was just the paragons that remembered everything that happened before Lex created this world.” She took Lena’s hand and gazed into the raven haired woman’s eyes. “She deserved to be told, and she needed to know how I really felt and what I knew about what had happened before.” She tore her gaze from Lena’s watery eyes and looked at Alex. “Why do you ask?”
”Kate said I should tell Maggie the truth, about everything.” Alex mumbled.
”And what do you think?” Lena asked, holding Kara’s hand but staring at Alex, as if her answer could change the direction of the world.
”I think Kate’s right.” Alex answered, hanging her head. “If Maggie agrees to go out with me, I know everything about her. Her favorite food, her favorite beer, hell I know her dress size.” Alex paused and took a deep breath. “Can you imagine how confused she’d be if I took her out for dinner and just automatically ordered for both of us and got her choice perfect.”
Kara grimaced. “That would be kinda creepy.”
”Says the girl that flew to three different countries to buy breakfast and chocolates for Lena?” Alex laughed.
Lena chuckled loudly as she watched Kara blush. “She’s gotcha there, darling.”
>>>
Maggie’s Apartment
Maggie tossed and turned, tangling her blankets and sheets around her small body. Giving up she made herself get up and head into the living room. She sat down and pulled the small dossier she had on Alexandra Danvers from the pocket of her recliner and opened it up. “Director Alexandra Danvers, DEO. Lives and works in National City, Shares an apartment in the north end of the city, with her sister Kara, former reporter and current Editor and Chief of CatCo Magazine. Graduated from Gotham University with a degree in Extraterrestrial Physiology, Medical School in Seattle, completed three years of her internship at Seattle’s Grey/Sloan Memorial Hospital and her fourth year here in National City at National City’s Pediatric Hospital. Started working for the DEO shortly after Lex Luthor’s appointment as Secretary of Homeland Security. Promoted to Director when Luthor took over and privatized the DEO. Since the disappearance of Lex she has been handling the DEO with the assistance of Lena Luthor and they have moved away from their initial hunt and deport aliens, to more of a support role. Works closely with Supergirl.” Maggie had highlighted the last part, because until she took custody of Esme, she thought the Girl of Steele was just a vigilante in a skirt.
Nothing in Alex’s file indicated she and the DEO Director had ever worked together, but Alex’s initial reaction had been shock, like she’d seen a ghost. She covered it well, but Maggie was suddenly intrigued by the doctor’s reaction. “Maybe the DEO keeps records on police officers that handle alien cases on the streets?” She asked herself out loud.
She continued to get frustrated as sleep finally overcame her curiosity and she relaxed into the familiarity of her chair.
>>>
Lena’s Foundation, one week later
Maggie sat in the uncomfortable waiting room chair, her foot tapping in impatience. “Typical doctor’s office.” She said to no one in general.
”Ms. Maggie, are you okay?” Esme asked, clearly worried in a way all small children were around nervous adults.
Maggie took a deep breath. “I’m okay, sweet pea. I’m just nervous about Dr. Alex’s test today.”
”Okay, Ms. Maggie.” The little girl smiled brightly and reached out, gripping the police sergeant’s hand tightly.
>>>
Alex stopped, peeking through the glass and seeing Maggie. “Get a grip, Danvers. Do your job and wait to ask her out till after you check on Esme.” Pushing the door open, Alex froze as Maggie’s face lit up with that smile she remembered so well. The doctor froze, her breath coming in ragged gasp as she turned and walked back through the door, picking up speed as she broke into a run down the hallway and pushed through the bathroom door. ‘What the hell am I doing? What was I thinking?’ Her panicked brain thought as she slid down the wall and wrapped her arms around her legs.
”Dr. Danvers?” Maggie’s gentle voice whispered as she pushed the unlocked door open and saw Alex sitting on the floor, eyes squeezed shut hugging herself. “Doctor…Director Danvers? What’s going on?” She moved closer, squatting down and stopping a few inches from Alex’s feet. “Panic attack?”
Alex released her legs, her hands shaking as she looked directly into the coffee colored eyes of her…’Her what?’ Alex thought. “Something like that, yeah. Sorry.”
”You need a minute?” Maggie asked. “Ms. Luthor came in right after you ran off. She said you had talked to her about Esme and she would take her to the gym for the testing?” Maggie’s voice was calm and relaxing.
Alex nodded, then repeated, softer this time. “Sorry.” Her face was burning with shame.
”It’s okay. I normally have that effect on women, so I’m used to it.” Maggie chuckled at her own joke, smiling as a wet giggle escaped Alex’s lips.
”Mags…Maggie.” Alex took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I wanted to…I…” Alex stumbled over her words.
”You want to kiss me?” Maggie smirked, realizing Alex was much calmer and seemed relaxed around her.
”Esme?” Alex chuckled and blushed. “I shouldn’t have been thinking that.”
“Why? Is kissing me such a bad thing?” Maggie teased, then saw a look of sadness cross over Alex’s features and wished she could take it back.
Alex recovered and in a moment of boldness she blurted out. “Would you like to go to dinner with me?”
”Not right now, Danvers.” Maggie smiled, then noticed how much brighter Alex’s eyes got at the way she answered. “After Esme’s appointment, if that’s okay?”
Alex nodded wordlessly.
>>>
A few minutes later, Alex and Maggie entered the gymnasium, smiling and talking. The good doctor noticed J’onn in the middle of the room, taped marks on the ground every five feet while Lena and Esme sat at the far end of the basketball court sitting and playing. Alex approached J’onn with Maggie behind her. “Sorry J’onn. I um…”
”Had a panic attack?” J’onn answered, his deep voice calm. “I felt it, Alex. Are you okay?”
”I’m good, thanks.” Alex smiled and turned towards Maggie. ”Meet J’onn J’onzz, one of my dearest friends and a Martian.”
Maggie noticed immediately that Alex didn’t introduce her to J’onn and once again a small bit of anger threatened to rise. ‘What the hell, he acts like he knows me too.’ She thought.
”I’m going to go check on Esme and get this test started.” Alex said, not noticing what was going on as she flipped from Alex to Dr. Danvers.
Maggie started to follow, aggravation emanating from her body, when J’onn stopped her. “Be patient with her, Maggie.”
”I just need to know what’s going on.” A very confused Maggie Sawyer, whispered.
”So does she.” J’onn reassured the police officer.
>>>
Maggie's earlier anger had dissipated as they continued to test Esme, discovering how close she had to be to mimic someone ‘fifteen feet’, how many powers she could mimic at a time ‘two’ and how long the powers lasted after exposure ‘five minutes’.
”J’onn, thank you so much for helping out today, I really appreciate it.” Alex said as her friend was preparing to leave. “It was interesting that you can block her abilities.”
”Her powers work a bit like my ability to read emotions. Except young Esme doesn’t have control yet. She is like a sponge right now, but will get much stronger with age. I would advise training and a steady routine of support counseling and work with other aliens.”
”That’s what I was thinking as well.” Alex smiled. She and J’onn always seemed to be on the same page, no matter what world they were on. “You think I should introduce her to Kara?”
”Actually I was thinking the same thing. Kara would make an excellent teacher and she is great with kids.” J’onn agreed. “Here comes Maggie, I would advise you to talk to her soon.”
”Friday?” Alex grimaced.
”Best idea I’ve heard.” J’onn answered. “Now I’ve got duty tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
>>>
As J’onn walked away Maggie entered Alex’s space and the doctor felt the familiar rise of panic in her chest. She licked her lips and tried to smile. “So Maggie, I think we need a regular training regimen and a weekly meeting with a counselor, preferably another alien or someone who might connect with her better than you or I.”
>>>
Friday Night, Date Night
Waterside Park, National City
Alex led Maggie down the path towards a lonely park bench, the same bench where she’d come out to Kara, where she’d sat and stared at the ocean after she’d broken Maggie’s heart and where she was likely to do it again. “Mags, I need you to listen to me for just a few minutes. What I have to say is going to sound insane, but I need to get this out in the open, so you know why I’ve been acting so weird around you.”
Maggie plopped down onto the bench, eyes wide as her gaze locked on Alex. “This isn’t you telling me that you are a serial killer and you’ve been stalking me for months because I arrested your brother or something is it?” She snorts out a small laugh, swallowing it as Alex’s face becomes serious.
”No, it's probably worse.” Alex answered. Her eyes traveled up towards the night sky and she remembered standing here before looking at a similar sky, about to pour her heart out to a beautiful woman. The stars weren’t hers and this Maggie wasn’t hers either. Most of all, the truths she was about to share weren’t the nervous words of a woman who had finally found love. This time her truth was crazy, so crazy she could barely wrap her own head around it. ‘Oh well, you can’t build a healthy relationship on lies, especially not an entire universe of them.’
She shook her head, bringing her focus back on the woman sitting on the bench and pulled two bottles of beer out of the pockets of her jacket. “Here.”
”Hey that’s my fav…” Maggie started, only to be cut off.
”I know, it's been your favorite since you tasted it at seventeen, even though it made you sick and you puked for hours.” Alex closed her eyes and kept plodding forward. “Just like the reason I made reservations at Habanero’s for dinner tonight, because you love that place and you always order the same dish, every single time, two chicken enchiladas, white sauce, not red with rice and beans.”
”How the hell do you know that?” Maggie slid a little down the bench, suddenly very aware that she had left her gun at home. “What the hell is going on Alex?”
Alex scrubbed her face, took a deep breath, trying to maintain her nerve. She exhaled slowly and continued. “Maggie, my version of Earth ended up destroyed, along with every other version about four, or maybe five months ago. On that Earth, you and I dated.”
”Bullshit!” Maggie snapped, this wasn’t funny anymore. She stood up from her seat, staring daggers at Alex. She waved her hand dismissively and sarcastically yelled “Next you will tell me that we had a happily ever after and bought a house in the suburbs!”
”No, you wouldn’t date me at first, because you were my first, well not my first, but the first woman I really wanted to date. You don’t date newly out women.” Alex answered calmly and flexed her shaking hands and swallowed hard as she fought the urge to snap back. “Then we finally started dating and we were so good together.” Alex watched Maggie’s reaction with sorrowful eyes.The police officer took a small step back, her brown eyes filled with anger and her lips pressed so tightly that Alex was surprised she didn’t hear Maggie’s teeth grinding. Alex folded her hands and started twisting her fingers, yearning to reach out and try to make things right. Forcing herself to continue, she added. “You and Supergirl even saved my life.”
”Alex, why are you doing this? If you don’t want to go out with me then just say so, don’t pull this crazy shit with me!” Maggie yelled, her face flushed and her breathing ragged. She ran her hand up her face and pulled on her long black hair. Her voice was tense and her normally calm demeanor seemed to be fraying at the edges. “This is just pissing me off.”
Alex trudged forward. “You became a cop because of your dad even though it broke your heart when he and your mom kicked you to the curb when you came out. I convinced you to talk to him, thought it might help our relationship. I…I feel like maybe I pushed you into that and I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.” The words just spilled out, words she should have said to her Maggie, in a different time and a different place.
”Sorry, sorry for what?“ Maggie yelled. “I met my dad for lunch after I started fostering Esme and he was an asshole. I called him out and we haven’t talked since.” Maggie shook her head trying to clear, trying to understand what was going on. She dropped her untouched beer to the ground, the sound of glass shattering seemed a perfect fit to how she herself was feeling in the moment. “Why am I even telling you this?” She growled, tears of anger burning her eyes.
Alex was mortified, but by this point she was compelled by some sense of outdated chivalry to just keep going. “I even proposed, we were engaged and then I kind of dropped a huge bomb on you and told you I wanted kids.” Alex wished right then she had simply stopped, but the final nail in her coffin spilled out. “We had a huge fight, and I…I just let you leave. I never went after you, I never…”
Maggie held up a shaking hand, palm forward, teeth gritted. ”Well I hope that’s a track record you can maintain Director Danvers, because this…” The woman lifted her other arm and spread them wide. “Whatever this was, it's over, it's done?” She stomped away, stopped after three or four steps and then looked back over her shoulder. “Esme will be in to see you Monday, then we will find a different doctor.”
”Mags…Maggie, wait…”Alex called out, her voice soft and hollow, to the retreating woman’s back. “Please? Maggie please, don’t go, not like this. Please?”
”Fuck off, Director Danvers.” Maggie’s stride got longer, and she moved away faster, until she was running towards her car. She got into the driver's seat, started the car and with screeching tires, pulled into traffic and drove away. In her anger, she didn’t stop until blue lights flashed in her rearview mirror. “Dammit.” Maggie yelled as she pulled over and threw the car in park.
>>>
Alex was staring out at the water, not really seeing or hearing anything around her, hazel eyes stinging from holding back tears. When Kara touched down beside her softly, Alex sighed and whispered. “She was really mad, Kar.”
Kara didn’t know what to say, her own experience with Lena had taught her that there were no answers to a broken heart. So there were no words she could think of that would comfort her sister. The Girl of Steele wrapped her arm around Alex’s shoulder and stood, holding her sister tightly while they watched the waves lap at the sea wall.
>>>
Alex and Kara’s Apartment, Saturday
”Hey mom.” Kara said as Eliza Danvers answered her video call. Biting her lip, she paused, opened her mouth to speak and stopped, unsure of how to start the conversation.
”Hey baby, what’s wrong?” Eliza’s concern was palpable as she touched the screen. “Everything okay with Lena?”
”Oh—yeah.” Kara stuttered. “I’m calling about Alex. She’s…” Kara paused and tilted her head, obviously trying to think of the right words. “She needs your help with a patient.”
“Diagnosis?” Eliza asks, clearly confused at this point.
”She’s Maggie Sawyer’s foster daughter.” Kara blurted out, covering her mouth with both hands.
”Maggie? Sawyer?” Eliza demanded. Her face turned bright red, remembering her oldest child’s anger and heartbreak from Earth 38. Her gaze softened. “Where’s Alex now?”
”I’m right here, mom.” Alex shuffled into the room, her normally shining brown eyes dull from exhaustion and depression. “And before you ask, I haven’t had a drop.”
Guilt flashed behind Eliza’s blue eyes at the thoughts that had risen up. Like Jeremiah, Alex had an innate desire to drown her sorrows and problems in alcohol. “I’m sorry, Alex.” Eliza rubbed her eyes. “I immediately thought the worse of you. I should have known better.”
”Because I’ve been so good in the past, when something bad happens?” Alex smirked. “I have a better support system now. Kara, Lena and you.” She paused as her mother sat up straighter. “I need your help, mom. I don’t think I can face her Monday, for Esme’s appointment.”
”Can you send me her file?” Eliza responded immediately, not bothering with the details. “I can read it on the train.” She moved from in front of the phone and the girls could hear her typing on her computer keyboard. “I can catch a train out in just a few hours.” She returned to view. “Just email me her file if you can, I’ll take my tablet. Can you meet me at the station at five-thirty? That’s the earliest one I can make.”
Alex and Kara looked at each other, then back at the screen, then their gazes locked on each other again. Alex blinked twice and shook her head. “That was easy.”
”Too easy?” Kara looked slightly shellshocked.
”I’m still here, girls.” Eliza laughed as she disconnected the call.
>>>
Lena’s Foundation, Monday Afternoon
Maggie was sitting in the same chair she had chosen last week. She was brooding and staring daggers at the door, clinging to the anger from Friday like her life depended on it. She sat up straight as a shadow stopped, frowning as a small woman with red hair opened the door and called out for Maggie and Esme. “Sergeant Sawyer, Dr. Danvers will see you and Esme now.”
”About time.” Maggie grumbled, taking Esme by the hand and heading towards an exam room. “No gym this time?”
”Change of plans.” The nurse smiled as she got them settled in and moved on, closing the door.
The door swung open moments later and an older blonde woman entered the small exam room. “Sorry for the delay, I wanted to read over Esme’s file one more time, before meeting with you. I’m Dr. Eliza Danvers.”
”Is that just a coincidence or…”Maggie started to ask, but she was cut off by Eliza’s gaze.
”Alexandra is my daughter and she asked me to take a look at Esme’s case.” The little girl, who had found the toy box, was ignoring the conversation. “She told me that Friday night was a little hard on you, and thought she should step away from the case.”
”So she’s a fu…” Maggie’s gaze lingered on Esme and took a breath. “So she is a coward, scared to face me after all that stuff she told me on Friday and sent her mommy to protect her. I suppose you are here to tell me its all true and that I need to get over myself.”
”Actually, I came because Esme’s case is fascinating, and Lena and I discussed it yesterday in full. She would honestly hate for you to incur the cost of Esme’s training and possible therapy.” Eliza said, her gaze never leaving Esme. “As a matter of fact we brought in a friend of mine to help out today.”
”Who? Supergirl?” Maggie smirked.
Esme turned with wide eyes and started to bounce up and down at the sound of the hero’s name. “Supergirl!” She shouted.
”Yes, as a matter of fact. That’s exactly who’s here.” Eliza smiled at the excited child, ignoring the look of absolute shock on Maggie’s face.
>>>
Maggi and Esme followed Eliza down a short hallway to the entrance of the gym. “Esme, can you wait right here, please?” The doctors asked as she squatted down. “I have to talk to Supergirl before you come in, okay?”
Esme nodded enthusiastically, bouncing on her heels as Eliza stood and entered the gym.
Just a few minutes later she returned, holding the door for Maggie and Esme.
“Why Supergirl?” Maggie asked as she entered the large room at a much more muted pace than her foster daughter.
Eliza pointed as Esme made it all the way across the room without mimicking any of Supergirl’s powers. “Supergirl works very hard to control her powers, including the ability to block some emphatic and telepathic powers.” Eliza explained. “Let’s give them a few minutes to get to know each other. She’s great with kids.”
Maggie was dumbfounded as she followed Eliza towards the bleachers. “Why are you being so nice to me? Director Danvers put you up to this?”
”Well you are just as suspicious as she was?” Eliza answered, smiling gently. “For your information Sergeant Sawyer, I’m here for Esme, you and Alex are adults and quite capable of fixing whatever it is you think she broke.”
”I don’t know, my trust. She asked me on a date and then dropped this whole horror story about being from another Earth.” Maggie’s eyes narrowed. “You believe it, don't you, all her bullshit?”
”Maggie, with everything you have seen in your job, with Esme’s abilities, is it really so far-fetched that what Alex said might be real? Eliza asked, her gaze locked on the police officer with concern filling her eyes.
”You know me too, don’t you?” Maggie asked, a defeated sigh escaping her lips. “She said we were engaged, that I left because I didn’t want kids.”
”I don’t think she finished the story, Maggie.” Eliza responded. “To get those answers you need to talk to Alex.” The older woman reached out and patted Maggie’s hand. “I can tell you this much, whatever decision you reach about this situation that Katherine put you in, you will have my support. You two were good together, but that doesn’t matter in the here and now.” Eliza took a breath and smiled over Maggie’s shoulder. “Looks like Esme’s learning to fly.”
’Kate Kane.’ Maggie thought, anger flaring, not necessarily at her friend, but at the situation she’d landed in. The moment passed as she turned in her seat and watched Esme and Supergirl effortlessly floating a few inches over the shiny floor. “Would it be okay if we come back next week?” Maggie asked Eliza, her gaze never wavering from her foster daughter. “I kind of told Alex…Director Danvers we wouldn’t be back.”
”Please do, I think we found a teacher she will really listen to and learn from.” Eliza smiled, her voice filled with private pride in her youngest daughter and a new friend.
Maggie pulled her phone out of her back pocket and texted Kate. ‘We need to talk tonight! After Esme goes to bed.’ She put her phone away and just sat back and enjoyed the rest of the interaction with Supergirl and Eliza Danvers.
>>>
Maggie’s Apartment
Esme was tucked into Maggie's bed, exhausted after an hour of emulating Supergirl, the promise of meeting her hero the next week, and the endless questions about Dr. Alex, questions which had Maggie doubting her reaction Friday night.
Maggie was sitting on the fire escape, drinking a beer and impatiently waiting for Kate to appear in the night sky. When the shadow of Kate’s cape temporarily eclipsed the moon, Maggie huffed out her breath. “Your drama is doing nothing for my mood, Kate.”
”Great, now I’m in trouble with you too?” Kate, dressed as her alter ego, Batwoman, responded as she touched down on the metal of the fire escape.
”So you knew about Alex and her crazy ass story?” Maggie glared at her friend. “You knew, and you sent me there on purpose?” Maggie emptied her beer and set the bottle on the windowsill. “What the hell, Kate?”
”I found out about you from her sister and Alex has been in a funk since this Earth came into being.” Kate started, nonchalant as usual, then found herself interrupted.
”You too!” Maggie yelled, then closed her mouth tightly, taking a deep breath through her nose, trying to calm down, so she wouldn’t wake Esme. “You believe this shit too, Kate.”
”Believe what?” Kate waved and dropped onto the metal grating. “This Earth is only four or five months old. That’s not a belief, Mags, it's fact and one of these days, when we have days to talk about it, I’ll tell you the whole story. I’ll tell you our truth.” Kate tilted her head and narrowed her eyes, staring at Maggie, reaching a conclusion. “She told you her truth didn’t she, Maggie?” The cop didn’t respond and Kate shook her head and chuckled. “I’ll be damned, Danvers actually told you.”
”Her truth?” Maggie hissed. “A story about how we were a couple, that we were engaged, that I left her…” Maggie stopped, trying to recall the conversation. “She knew stuff nobody else does—she knew—knows about my dad?”
”Your dad?” Kate questioned, her face twisted in concern and confusion. “What about him?”
”He’s the reason I became a cop.” Maggie admitted in a shaky voice, just above a whisper. “I’ve never told anyone that.” She stepped back and almost tripped over the windowsill and knocked the empty beer bottle onto the carpeted floor. “There is no way she could know that, I’ve never met her until now.” Maggie’s breathing sped up and she slid down the wall, curling into a ball. The shaking started next along with rubbing her hands together.
’Panic’ Kate thought, ripping off her mask and wig and squatting beside her friend, grabbing her hand and squeezing. “Maggie…Maggie I need you to breathe. Come on girl, follow my lead. Breathe in, breathe out.” Kate mimed taking deep breaths until finally Maggie’s panic attack settled down. She slid down the wall beside her friend and laughed lightly. “Hi there. Are you gonna be okay?”
”You are such a bitch, Kate.” Maggie responded, leaning her head back against the wall and laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
”I seem to be getting that a lot lately.” Kate laughed. “Maybe you should call Alex and compare notes.”
”There is no maybe about it. I’ll call her in the morning. Hopefully, she will still want to talk to me.” Maggie breathed out.
>>>
Kara and Alex’s Apartment, the Next Morning
Alex’s phone vibrated on her nightstand, and she reached out and searched for the phone, finding it as it vibrated for the third time. She tapped the screen and brought the phone to her ear. “Danvers.” Her voice was rough and still full of sleep. Her eyes shot wide open when she recognized the voice on the other end. “Yeah, sorry about that, I thought it was work.” Her next words were soft and carefully measured. “You’re sure, you really want to?” Alex’s breathing picked up and her heart thumped heavy in her chest. “Coffee, Noonans, One Hour.”
Alex scrambled out of bed, checking herself in the mirror and grabbing clean clothes. “See you there, Sawyer.” She hung up and rubbed her face, to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
Getting dressed quickly, she took a moment to check her appearance one last time then called down the hall. “Kara! No time for breakfast, I have to meet someone at Noonan’s.” She checked her watch. “In twenty-five minutes.” She was out the door and headed towards the elevator before her sister could answer.
>>>
Noonan’s
Alex parked her bike, shut it down and pulled her helmet off. Her hands were shaking as she swept them through her red hair, checking to make sure every strand was in place. ‘I’m acting like a lovesick teenager.’ The Director of the DEO thought to herself. ‘I need to get a grip, it’s just coffee.’ She took a deep breath to calm her jumbled nerves and walked into the restaurant. Scanning the crowded coffee shop, her gaze fell on the small brunette, sitting alone at a booth in the corner. She scanned the table and saw it was empty. ‘It’s a test.’ Alex thought to herself.
Alex stepped up to the counter and placed her order. The barista stared at her for a moment. “Not your usual order, Director?”
”Trying something new.” Alex smiled.
The barista had her order ready after a few minutes and she smoothly made her way back to Maggie’s booth.
“Have a seat, Danvers.” Maggie smiled. “I see you took the hint.” She nodded at the tray.
Alex slid into the booth, her nerves settling at the sight of Maggie’s smile. “Large black coffee and a sesame bagel, double toasted and dry.” Her distaste for the order was obvious on her face.
”You actually know my order.” Maggie stated incredulously. “I was really hoping you wouldn’t, that maybe I wouldn’t be quite so predictable here.”
”So you believe me?” Alex asked in a small, nervous voice.
Maggie took a sip of her coffee followed by a small bite of her bagel, then she reached across the table and wrapped both of her hands around both of Alex’s and smiled. “Why don’t you tell me the rest of your truth, Danvers?”
The End…
Dear Readers,
I am doing something I almost never do and leaving the ending of this fiction open to interpretation because I know how I want it to end…