Chapter 7

*By a nearly unanimous vote, it's official! Alex knows she's gay, but hasn't told anyone

"You and Alex are going to be partners." J'onn says in his usual no nonsense voice.

There's a moment of silence as both knights process his words in disbelief.

"Seriously? J'onn I don't need a babysitter," Alex says, crossing her arms. She glances over at Maggie, who looks just as unhappy as she does. "No offense, Sawyer."

"None taken, Danvers. I don't do well with partners."

"My decision is final." J'onn states clearly, giving them both a hard look. "Sir Maggie, the DEO works differently than you are used to. Alex can show you the ropes. And Sir Alex, you were nearly killed today."

"Nearly," Alex points out but goes quiet when she sees the worry in his eyes.

"Maggie can keep an eye on you, watch your back." J'onn continues. "Just like you will watch hers. Again, this is not up for discussion. This is your only option unless you want to stay on desk duty, Sir Alex."

Alex sighs. He knows how much she hates being cooped up in the lab. Not being able to patrol or fight bad aliens is like torture to her.

"Fine. You in Sawyer?" She raises an eyebrow at her new 'partner.'

"I don't have much of a choice, Danvers."

Maggie's smile has returned and Alex has to focus on breathing to make sure she doesn't make a fool of herself. Not again, at least. Alex gives her a small smile back and knows Kara is definitely going to ask her about why her breath keeps catching and why her heart skips a beat a few times. She is really not looking forward to that conversation.

"Good," J'onn says. "I know you well after all of these years working together, Alex and from what I have heard of Sir Maggie, you should work well together. Now get some rest, the three of you. We will undoubtedly have a busy day ahead of us due to Kara coming out as an alien." He smiles at Kara, taking the edge out of his words. "Head to dinner, I will be there shortly."

"Yes sir." Alex says, noticing how late it is.

The high up windows in the DEO's main room has the last bits of the sunset shining through them. Dinner is probably nearly finished being cooked. Luckily for Alex, since Maxwell is no longer their guest, she doesn't have to wear anything fancy.

"Dinner," Kara gasps. "Good, I'm starving."

"You're always hungry," Alex teases her.

"I have a fast metabolism," Kara pouts at her amused sister. "Now come on, let's head to the dining room." She starts practically skipping towards the door with Alex trailing behind her. She stops and looks back after a few steps. "Sir Maggie, are you coming?"

Maggie blinks, surprise evident on her face. "Uh, yeah. I just wasn't aware I would be eating with the Royal Family on my first day. I would have worn something nicer."

Alex looks Maggie over as subtly as she can, taking in the leather jacket that fits her shoulders perfectly, her soft gray shirt underneath it, and her jeans that Alex has to look away from so she doesn't stare.

Alex wants to reassure Maggie but she doesn't trust her voice quite yet. She might say something stupid like "holy crap you're gorgeous" or "fuck I'm so gay." That second one worries her more than the first because she's never told anyone that. Not even Kara. But that might change tonight and that makes the anxiety in Alex's stomach bubble up to the surface.

"You look beautiful, you'll be fine." Kara assures her as they start walking, Alex on one side of her and Maggie on the other. "Plus, Alex and I are going in what we are wearing right now. It's not a fancy affair."

"Alright, Little Danvers." Maggie says, making Kara grin at her.

"I'll have you know I am taller than Alex." Kara replies happily.

"I can tell, Little Danvers." Maggie teases and then winks at Alex, who blushes. "Sir Alex has an intimidating air around her that makes her seem taller. And you are the younger one."

"Technically I'm older," Kara says in a semi-whining voice. "I was stuck in the Phantom Zone for twenty four years."

Maggie's eyebrows raise and she looks Kara up and down. "You don't look like you're almost fifty."

"I didn't age in the Phantom Zone," Kara explains.

"What is the Phantom Zone?" Maggie asks curiously.

"Alex can explain it better than I can."

Alex relaxes slightly. This is something she can talk about. She studied it extensively once Kara revealed why she took so long to get to Earth.

"It was discovered by the Kryptonians, who used it to imprison their criminals in a place called Fort Rozz. There, they were stored. It was easy to contain them because in the Phantom Zone, they didn't require sustenance and did not age." Alex explains.

"That's incredible," Maggie says and turns to Kara. "Did it feel like any time had passed when you came out?"

"No, I was still thirteen. I didn't even recognize Kal. He was all grown up," Kara smiles softly.

"Kal?" Maggie prompts.

"Kal-El is her cousin, Superman." Alex says, holding the castle's door open for them.

"So you're related to Superman?" Maggie asks, awe in her voice.

"Yeah," Kara says, grinning at her newfound friend.

"Sorry I'm asking so many questions, I've just always been fascinated by aliens."

"It's fine," Kara promises with a smile that makes Maggie believe her. She pauses in front of double doors. "We're here, by the way. Are you ready to meet Eliza and Jeremiah?"

Maggie lets out a nervous, shaky breath. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Kara holds the door open and they walk in to greet her adoptive parents, who are already seated in their usual spot.

Eliza and Jeremiah stand and walk over to their kids and new knight. Kara can hear Maggie's heart rate increase as they approach. When they get close enough, Maggie automatically kneels on one knee before them, her head bowed in respect.

Eliza and Jeremiah stop where they are, just a few feet away. Eliza allows her to stay down for a few moments.

"Rise, knight." She orders and Maggie stands, hands clasped behind her back. "You must be Sir Maggie."

"Yes ma'am," Maggie responds when there's a pause for her to reply.

"I have heard of you for years from J'onn."

Maggie blinks in surprise. She has been a knight for about as long as Alex has, and she knows she has done much for the Kingdom. She has done enough to earn a few medals, even though she's not straight or white or a man. That was something her fellow knights disliked about her, how she was able to rise above their hatred and prejudice and do her job just as well as them, if not better.

She just wasn't aware anyone was tracking her career. Especially not someone like J'onn, who was also an inspiration for her. Openly alien, a Martian, the last of his kind, and living with the body of a black man yet unafraid of the obstacles he has faced.

"You're a wonderful knight, Sir Maggie. I am glad to have you here, particularly in this difficult time." Eliza gives her a smile. "And here, you do not have to bow to us. We are all equals in this Kingdom. Now come, sit. The food should be here shortly."

They all take their seats, with J'onn joining them along with Winn and Cat. Alex somehow ends up between her sister and Maggie because the universe loves testing her self-control by putting her next to a beautiful woman she's pretty sure she is developing a crush on. Wonderful.

"Kara," Cat greets her as she sits down. "James will be arriving here later tonight to paint a picture of you tomorrow for the newspaper."

"James is coming?" Kara gasps.

She brightens and bounces happily in her chair for a few moments. Maggie's honestly surprised that Kara could be happier than she already was.

"Is James Kara's boyfriend?" Maggie asks Alex, who looks momentarily startled that she's talking to her but regains her composure quickly.

"No but there was a point in time where we all thought they would end up together, even Kara and James thought so. When they tried it, it didn't feel right so they went back to being best friends. He's actually the one that helped her improve her painting skills."

"Kara can paint?" Maggie asks, surprised.

"Yeah, really well." Alex says proudly. "Have you seen the paintings around the castle and in the DEO?"

Maggie nods, thinking of the beautiful ones she's seen that seem almost otherworldly. "Yeah, they're incredible. Those are Kara's?"

Alex nods, "They are mainly of what she can remember of Krypton."

Before Maggie can ask anything more, Kara's excited voice interrupts her. "Is Lucy coming too?"

"That's Major Lucy to you," Alex says, imitating Lucy's voice.

Kara and her burst into laughter and Maggie stares, captivated by the way Alex seems so happy and free in this moment.

"Yes, Major Lane will be coming as well." J'onn answers for Cat, who's watching the Danvers sisters in amusement. "She will be helping us figure out a plan in case the people do not respond well to their beloved princess being an alien."

That makes the room quiet, everyone sobered by his words. They have no way of knowing what will happen in the coming days, if the people of the Danvers Kingdom will accept or reject Kara.

A kind of cliffhanger... Will the citizens accept Kara? We probably won't find out next chapter, but soon! And hey, Lucy and James are coming! And Alex is crushing on Maggie and denying it's a crush yet! Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!