XO, Maggie

1. The Text

Hey, I'm so sorry to bother you. I know it's been a while now. I hope your doing well, but I have a favor to ask. I'm going out of the country and need my passport. I think I left it at your place. Can you look around and possibly mail it to me? My new address is 709 Halston St. National City 44333. xo Maggie

Part of Alex was disgusted that she didn't use the right form of "you're", part of her was fixated on the "xo" and the rest was slowly crumbling to the ground.

She finished writing Maggie's new address on the envelope as Sam stood in the doorway. "Thanks so much again for watching Ruby, Alex. You're seriously a lifesaver. We can figure out some sort of payment later."

Alex looked up from the envelope, "Oh, no, Sam, it's totally fine. Really. Don't worry about it." Sam half-smiled and shook her head. "Nope, sorry. You're not getting out of this one. You managed to keep tabs on my unpredictably hyperactive kid while on crutches, so saying that I owe you is an understatement."

Alex continued to persist, and unsuccessfully attempted to pull herself out of her chair. "Sam, really. It was a favor. I was happy to do it." Sam smirked, and shut the door behind her . "Thanks so much. I'll see you around.."

Alex refused to let Sam's last words find their way under her skin, but it was pointless. The silence of the room burned, and she quickly flipped the envelope with Maggie's name over while willing herself not to cry and letting the familiar feeling of shame and self loathing sink in. You had been doing so well. Jesus Christ. You're like a teenager. She reached for her crutches, propped herself up, and clumsily made her way over to the window to let in cool, fresh air. She inhaled deeply, and heard the muted buzz of her phone vibrating in her pocket.

She froze, and immediately the backlash began. What? So you're going to just ignore your phone everytime it goes off because you're scared? You're pathetic. What if it's J'onn? What if Kara's in trouble? What if Reign is attacking again, and you don't do anything because you're too scared of getting a text from your ex-girlfriend. Fucking pathetic.

She closed her eyes and swallowed, her breath shaking, as she took her phone from her pocket and glanced at the screen. Actually, I'm passing through your neighborhood now, if it would just be easier to drop by and pick it up?

Instinctively, Alex shoved her phone into her pocket and stared out the window, her eyes wide with panic. A part of her hoped that if she simply pretended the message didn't exist, she wouldn't have to do anything about it, but eventually accepted that that method probably wouldn't work. She took out her phone and re-read the message until it was permanently burned into her memory, and wrote and erased the same message dozens of time, trying to decide how badly the consequences of turning down an opportunity to see Maggie would compare to the debacle of actually having to face her. Finally, she decided on a neutral answer that she prayed would force Maggie into having some perspective and making the decision for her.

Do you really think that's a good idea?

Maggie's response came almost instantly. Alex, my cruiser is literally passing by your building now. You can leave it outside your door if you don't want to see me.

Leave it to Maggie to take Alex's technique of forcing perspective onto her and recounter it so perspective was forced onto Alex. She sighed, repeated her re-reading ritual, and with her hands shaking, pressed send.

Ok, sure.

...

I'm headed up now.

Fuck.

Alex tried to ignore the wave of nausea settling in while simultaneously tearing open the envelope and retrieving the passport. She hastily grabbed her crutches and hobbled toward the door, wishing she had at least given herself some time to stop hyperventilating, when she heard the knocking. For a fleeting moment, she had hope that it was just Sam, and that Ruby had forgotten something, or Kara showing up for an impromptu movie night. The knocking paused before growing louder. "Alex?"

Her fears confirmed, she moved as rapidly as she could toward the door, while trying not to break another ankle.

"Alex, you in there?"
"I'm coming."

With the passport in one hand, she breathed in deeply and pulled open the door.

It was as if no time had passed. She stood in the doorway, thumbs in the pockets of her leather jacket and wearing the familiar concerned facial expression Alex had struggled to forget.

"Hey. Oh my god, what happened?" It took several moments for Alex to register that she was referring to her leg as she stood dumbfounded that Maggie had just been instantaneously thrust back into her life. "Oh, um. Reign. She used a chain to grab onto my leg. I broke my tibia."

"Holy shit." Maggie looked up at her, eyebrows furrowed, while Alex concentrated on avoiding eye contact. "I'm glad you're OK."

Alex paused, her breath hitching in disbelief at the sight of her, before remembering. "Here's your passport." She held it out, balancing on her crutch. Maggie smiled softly and took it. "Thanks, Danvers."
They stood silently for a moment, while Alex waited expectantly for her to leave, and awkwardly glanced around the hallway as she continued to stand in her doorway.

Maggie folded her arms across her chest. "So, um, how's Kara?"

Alex sighed, "She's um, she's recovering. It was pretty scary when she didn't wake up, though."
"Yeah, I can imagine." Her look of sympathy pummeled her in the gut, and she clenched her teeth, wishing she would leave. Maggie paused before saying softly, "You know. I meant to call you."

Alex closed her eyes and sighed. "It's fine, Mags. Um, You should probably go."
Maggie nodded with understanding, and backed out of the doorway. "Thanks again. I'll see you."
Alex smiled halfheartedly. "Yeah. Bye"
As she walked down the hallway toward the elevator, Maggie hesitated and turned around. "It-um, it was good to see you, Danvers."

She was gone before Alex had the chance to respond.