128. Chapter 128

She feels Alex sigh in deep relief after a whispered thank you, and she keeps one of her hands on the small of Alex’s back, because she knows, she knows already, that that’s where Alex feels fear.

And she wants to comfort her, wants to tell her it’s going to be okay, that they’re going to be okay, because she never wants Alex to be scared, she never wants Alex to be in pain.

But the words stick in her throat, because she’s still scared, and she’s still in pain. So she settles for her hand on Alex’s fear spot, and hopes it’s enough.

Hopes she’s enough.

To make her not run again. To get her to stay.

Because others have left Maggie, and it’s broken her bones and it’s broken her spirit and it’s broken her heart.

But Alex? If Alex leaves, if Alex calls it, them, her, a mistake again?

There won’t be enough scotch and hot glue in the world to piece her back together. Because Alex is different, somehow. Alex is special, somehow.

And not because her sister is Supergirl.

Alex lifts her hand and runs it through Maggie’s hair, and the small action relaxes Maggie’s body, somewhat, relaxes Maggie’s defenses, somewhat.

“How does everybody not know?” she asks, and Alex pulls back from their hug, baffled, wondering if somehow Maggie talked to people at the DEO, if they told her they could tell that badass, devil-may-care Alex Danvers has something she’s never had before: a weakness.

“Know?”

Maggie chuckles. “About Kara.”

Alex splutters in relief, tugging at the hem of her shirt. “Cat Grant figured it out, but we um… we managed to nip it in the bud as best we could.”

“Cat Grant’s supposed to be a smart woman.”

Alex beams. “You’re a smart woman.”

“Aw, Danvers, don’t tell me you’re gonna resort to random compliments to make up for your running.”

Alex sobers immediately, and Maggie curses herself for screwing things up, for not just taking a damn compliment, for destroying everything. Again.

“I am gonna make up for it, Maggie, I… I’m gonna be the best girlfriend you’ve ever had, I… I’m gonna be braver. Like you.”

Maggie furrows her brow and leans back on the kitchen island, arms crossed over her chest.

“Braver.”

Alex shrugs and tugs more at the hem of her shirt. “I know you, too. I know you’ve been hurt, I know… I know people… women… haven’t treated you like you deserve to be treated. Haven’t loved you like you deserve to be loved. And I… today, I became one of those women. Who just… yo-yoed you. Tossed you aside, begged you to come back. I know you, too, Maggie, and I know you’re scared. And I never wanted to give you more of a reason to be, but I did, I gave you a huge reason, and I just… you’re brave. For coming over, for… hearing me out. For giving me another chance.”

Maggie bites her lip and lowers her gaze, and Alex puts a gentle finger under her chin. Maggie lets Alex lift her face so she’s looking up into her soft eyes.

“Thank you. I value you, Maggie, and I… I’m gonna work really hard. Because that’s what you deserve.”

“Yeah, people don’t… people don’t tend to think I deserve all that much.”

“Maggie – “

“No, it’s fine, I don’t… I don’t wanna be all self-pitying, I just… I really like you, Alex, and I think I can easily… You’re not just another name on a list.” She chuckles and reaches up to touch Alex’s cheek, because she might be terrified, but she’s in this, because she can’t not be in this, because Alex, Alex, Alex.

“There’s only one Alex Danvers. Aaaaand I kinda like her being my girlfriend. So, yeah. You get a second chance.”

Alex bites the inside of her cheek and Alex smiles and Alex leans down slowly, slowly, asking Maggie with her eyes, and Maggie answers with her lips, and their kiss is slow, and their kiss is soft, and their kiss is tender, and their kiss is fear, and their kiss is forgiveness, and their kiss is acceptance, and their kiss is hope.

When their lips part their arms are back around each other, their bodies are pressed against each other, because one hug wasn’t enough, not for tonight, not for any night.

They only part when Alex’s stomach growls and Maggie smiles broadly, because this woman is perfect.

“Can I cook my beautiful lady dinner?” Maggie wants to know, and Alex squirms with a massive smile and reddened cheeks and a crinkled nose, and it is the cutest thing Maggie has ever, ever seen.

“Only if I can regale you with tales of my mission on another planet while you do.”

“Wait, shut up. Another planet? That’s where Kara and the others were? Way to bury the lead, woman! Spill!” Maggie laughs, and Alex obliges.

And as Alex talks, Maggie’s fear melts, because this kind of intimacy? Alex stealing ingredients and popping them into her mouth while Maggie cooks, Alex pressing random kisses to the back of her neck in between breaths, Maggie touching her waist each time she needs to get by to get something, Alex automatically bringing her things from the higher shelves when she sees Maggie going up in tip toes?

This is what they’ve both been missing all along, and damn, is it worth every risk.