256. Chapter 256

Lyra’s screams, Winn’s screams, aren’t going to leave either of their minds for a long time.

If ever.

Maggie pulls him back and she holds him close to her body, not noticing or caring that her hair is still in her face, in the corner of her mouth.

Because god, that’s how ICE does it with people who look like her, who look like James, and now Cadmus is on that same xenophobic, genocidal list.

But with much better weapons.

“We’re gonna get her back, Winn,” she says, but even to her, her voice sounds hollow. She blinks an tries again, turning his numb body to hers and holding him by both shoulders.

“Winn. We’re going to get her back. Whatever it takes.”

“Yeah. Yeah,” he breathes, but his entire body is shaking. “Are you okay, and Alex? Guardian?”

He turns toward the others, they both do, to find James with his mask off, holding Alex to his metal-plated chest.

“We’re fine. We’re gonna get her back, Winn,” James calls. “All of them. All of them. Come on, man, let’s… come on.” He kisses Alex’s temple before striding over and putting his arm around Winn, leading him back to the van where he can change, where he can offer Winn an anti-anxiety pill, where he can offer Winn all the quiet, soft hugs he needs.

“Thank you, Maggie,” Winn tells her as James nods and starts leading him away.

“James,” Maggie calls after him. “Thank you.”

James smiles and glances between Alex and Maggie. “Always.”

Both women smile and watch Winn and James leave.

“Alex.” Maggie is the first to break out of it, and she rushes to Alex’s arms, stopping just short of hugging her, her hands running everywhere on her body, checking for injuries.

“Did he hurt you, did – “

“No, I – you? You shouldn’t’ve come after me like that, it was just a regular police gun – “

“Alex, I would come after you with my bare hands if that’s all I had.”

Alex’s breath hitches and her body trembles and she pulls Maggie into a deep, hard hug. Maggie hisses slightly and Alex yanks back immediately.

“The explosion! You must have gotten burned, I – “

“Alex, I’m okay. You can check me out later at the DEO, I promise, okay? Just – we’ve gotta get back in there before any of them come to, but I – I want to feel you right now, just… just hold me?”

Alex presses her lips to Maggie’s forehead and Maggie lets herself melt, lets herself be not alright, lets herself be comforted, because Alex is safe, safe, safe, and they’re going to get the others back. They have to. And they will.

Together.