Chapter 36

Alex tries not to focus on the fact that her girlfriend is currently on her knees in front of her. Instead, she watches Maggie's serious expression as she carefully looks over Alex's bruised torso. She pokes and prods at the bruise from different angles and carefully runs her fingers over Alex's stomach to make sure nothing's swollen.

Alex has to admit, she's impressed. Maggie seems to know what she is doing, which is more than Alex can say about some of the doctors she has worked alongside.

"Where did you learn how to do this?" Alex asks, breaking the veil of the silence when her curiosity gets the best of her.

"I was on a team once where the captain required everyone in the unit to have basic medical knowledge. He would teach us all during the downtime, and it ended up being a pretty good thing in a particularly nasty fight against a large group of bandits and rogues."

Alex squints at her for a moment, then it clicks. She gasps. "You were one of the Medic Knights? Your unit saved a ton of lives in that ambush."

Maggie blushes. "I've always hated that name. It sounds like 'meta knights,' which sounds too pretentious for me. But yeah, I was. I was the rookie of the team, barely two months into being a knight."

"How long had you been with them when the bandits attacked?" Alex questions as Maggie continues her examination, her movements slower but no less confident.

"Three months."

"Wow," Alex breaths out. "I wasn't there, but I was sent to help with the wounded. I saw the aftermath."

Maggie winces at the memories bombarding her brain. "Yeah, it wasn't pretty. Hey, I could have seen you there. I was a makeshift doctor until they needed us elsewhere."

"It wouldn't be as interesting as our story is now." Alex murmurs. "Plus, I was by no means ready to be out to anyone back then."

"And I was even more of a mess than I am about my parents." Maggie admits. "I guess it's a good thing we didn't see each other until now."

Alex and Maggie exchange a soft look. Maggie's hands rest on Alex's stomach, no longer moving. Alex waits to point this out for a moment, taking the time to revel in their closeness.

"So what's your prognosis, doctor?" Alex asks.

"Not good." Maggie says seriously, standing up. Alex can see the dimples threatening to make an appearance as she schools her expression. "I'm afraid you're severely lacking Vitamin Me."

Alex laughs so hard at the dorky joke that she lets out an undignified snort, which causes Maggie to burst out laughing alongside her.

"And you call me a nerd." Alex teases, nudging her girlfriend's nose with her own. "But really, am I good?"

"Oh, you're amazing." Maggie winks.

Alex huffs, blushing. "I meant the bruise."

"I know, babe." Maggie grins at her. "You're okay. It's going to hurt like hell for a bit and frankly, it's a miracle you don't have more damage, but you're okay. Or you're going to be."

"Good. Now, I believe I was promised something." Alex says.

Maggie catches on immediately and her smile widens. Extra cuddling. She could definitely use that after such an emotionally and physically draining day. "You were. But Allie, please put on a shirt first."

Alex melts at the nickname and complies, tugging on an old comfy shirt and lying back on her bed, her upper body propped up on her pillows. "Too distracting, huh?"

"You have no idea," Maggie murmurs, giving Alex a swift kiss.

Alex nearly chokes on air when Maggie starts pulling off her clothes. "Uh. Mags? What are you doing?"

Maggie turns around to face her, giving Alex a faux innocent look. "I'm putting on clothes that are more comfortable."

Maggie turns around again and bends over. She starts pulling off her pants and Alex's gay heart can't take this. She gets out of bed, swearing under her breath in Kryptonese.

"Two can play at this game, Sawyer." She mutters.

When Maggie faces her again, fully clothed, her eyes go wide. Alex is laying on top of the bed, wearing only her bindings, a baggy shirt, and underwear. Alex quirks one eyebrow, smirking at her dumbstruck girlfriend.

"Well?" Alex asks when Maggie doesn't move. "Are you coming?"

"I really hope so," Maggie replies teasingly.

Alex blushes and lifts her arm up for Maggie to cuddle up to her after she gets in bed. Maggie gives her a gentle kiss to the closest bit of skin, which just happens to be the base of Alex's neck. Her breath hitches in her throat and she tenses, panicking at the idea of what happens next. She's never done this before. And this is someone she really cares about, someone she lo- likes. Someone she likes.

Maggie notices, of course and quickly sits up so she can look at Alex's anxious face. "Alex, babe. That wasn't me trying to push you towards anything. We go at our pace, remember? We won't do anything until you're comfortable, okay?"

Alex nods and kisses Maggie in thanks. It's gentle and sweet, and all the reassurance that they need. Maggie settles back down, letting out a content sigh as she rests her head on Alex's shoulder and her hand on Alex's stomach. Alex reaches out to hold her hand and Maggie relaxes fully against her girlfriend.

*** Time Jump! ***

They're so close to National City that they can see it in the distance. It's hard to miss, especially with the gray of the Danvers castle standing out because of it's color and size at the top of the hill.

Kara's stopped herself from flying over to finally see Alex again quite a few times and she knows Lena can tell that she's excited. Even the horses can tell, what with her squirming around as they ride slowly but steadily onward.

Their pace has picked up and they've been passing more and more merchants and travelers on the road. They all recognize Kara and call out respectful greetings, all while warily eyeing of the Queen of the Luthor Kingdom beside her. Lena doesn't take offense, knowing that their hatred of her family comes from a valid reason. She just hopes she can prove them wrong.

"One more day," Lena remarks. "I take it you're excited to see your sister again?"

"Yeah!" Kara bounces up and down on the horse a couple of times giddily, glad she can defy gravity so she doesn't hurt it with her jostling movements. "I can't wait to see everyone again."

Lena feels a familiar stab of guilt, knowing that it's Kara's attachment to her that's keeping her away from her friends and family.

"I'm sure they will be just as happy to see you." Lena says, giving Kara a smile.

Kara's face brightens at the warm, genuine smile her girlfriend gives her. "I hope so! I wonder how Alex and Maggie are doing. Are they still together?" Kara muses.

She starts rambling on about what she thinks has happened while she was gone. Lena watches her with adoration in her eyes.

***

"Sir Alex, Sir Maggie." A younger, lithe woman says.

Alex and Maggie stop, panting. She had interrupted their training session in the courtyard. Alex puts the training sword on a nearby weapons rack and turns to face her. She frowns, recognizing her. She's a scout that has a post on the outskirts of National City. There's no reason for her to be here unless there's urgent news.

"What's wrong?" Alex asks worriedly.

"Nothing, ma'am." The scout quickly assures her. "I just thought you would like to know that Lena Luthor's group has been spotted. They're approximately a day's ride away."

Alex's expression brightens and her entire demeanor seems lighter. "She is? Thank you for letting me know. Have you told the Queen?"

"Yes ma'am, she was my first stop. If you'll excuse me, I needs to get back to my post." The scout bows to them and rushes off surprisingly quickly.

"Kara's almost here!" Alex breathes out.

Maggie hums in acknowledgement, falling a little but more for her girlfriend. "It will be good to see Little Danvers again."

Alex grins at Maggie. Her eyes light up with a realization. "Oh! I'll have to let the kitchen staff know, they're going to have to get used to feeding a hungry Kryptonian again."

Maggie laughs. "I have noticed that they've been making less food. But I doubt they mind the increase in work. No one could ever stay mad at Kara."

Alex hums. "Do you mind if I go around making preparations for Kara? Would you want to come with?"

"I'm happy to help, Danvers. I can be your eye candy." Maggie winks and delights in how Alex flushes.

It never gets old, being able to reduce the badass agent who knows at least six ways to kill her using just her index finger to a blushing, stammering gay mess. Maggie's favorite part is that Alex has the same affect on her. Especially recently. Alex has been more teasing lately, more flirty. And more prone to touching Maggie in innocent ways that such all the breath from her lungs. They still haven't done anything, but Maggie has to admit that she likes this game of seduction that Alex seems to be playing.

"I'll have you do some actual work, Sawyer."

"Oh yeah? Like what?" Maggie prompts.

"Like baking my sister my famous chocolate cakes."

"Chocolate cake?"

"Cakes. Plural." Alex clarifies. "It's one of the few things that don't catch on fire when I cook them. Plus, Kara swears they're the second best dessert in the universe."

"Second best?" Maggie asks.

"Second only to mom's pecan pie."

Next chapter, there'll be a bit of Sanvers cooking fluff, and then Lena and Kara arrive! We'll soon see how the Danvers family react to Lena, and how they react to the fact she and Kara are dating! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!