SHIELD [Book 1 of Alex & Allie Save The World]

Chapter 10 Stupid Bees

"Sorry, it took so long Allie your cat was-oh shit..." Alex trails off when their eyes land on Allie and Allie Three.

"The Enterprise!" Allie cries and clings to her clone. "Stupid bees!"

"Stupid bees!" the double echoes seconds later.

Alexandra Aldridge halts in the doorway, mouth agape and eyes blown wide. The copy is awake, talking, and moving almost in time with Allie. Alex glances to the tv; the weepy blondes are crying over the scene in Star Trek Beyond where Krall and his bee-like swarm and ships to destroy the Enterprise. Slowly, without alerting the girls, Alex backs away and pulls out their phone to dial Bruce while holding their focus on them.

It rings and rings and rings so much so Alex fears he won't pick up but just before the last word of 'Bitch Better Have My Money' it clicks and he answers. Before Alex gets a greeting from him they hear whimpers sounding familiar to the cries of Allie.

"Aldridge the hell is happening here?" Bruce grunts.

"They're alive!" Alex hisses.

"I know! This one gave me a black eye and is now sobbing in my lap," he deadpans. Instead of sympathizing, Alex begins chuckling and bites their lip to muffle the sound.

"Oh, that's rich."

"Alex what is happening on your end," Bruce questions, ignoring their amusement at his pain.

"Bruce, they are mirroring her actions almost instantaneously after she does them. She's watching Star Trek Beyond right now so she's fired up and depressed," Alex explains. "I'll try to calm her down, just get here faster." With that being said Alex hangs up and takes a breath, preparing themself to brave two emotional Allison Gray's.

"Alex!" Allie greets, perking up at the sight of her best friend.

"Alex!" the double repeats.

"Oh I love this already," Alex comments sarcastically and holds out the Dr. Pepper to Allie.

"Thanks! Is Bruce almost here?"

"He's gonna be a hot minute. Poor Brucie ran into some trouble."

"Oh? What kind? Is he okay?"

"He's fine, well sort of, he's gonna have a black eye," Alex informs and Allie makes a cooing noise.

"Oh no! What happened?"

"You punched him in the face," Alex deadpans and Allie's cheerful expression falls.

"Excuse me?"

"That excited punching I know you do every time Spock and Bones kick ass together. Your clone with Bruce duplicated the action and decked poor Brucie Wayne across the face."

"Oh! Oh shit! Oh my God! I can't believe I did that!" Allie gushes in horror and starts waving her hand erratically. Alex watches unfazed until Allie starts getting upset and self-deprecating. "He must be so upset. Alex what if he never wants to talk to me again? What if I ruined everything?"

"Allison take a fucking breath," Alex demands and Allie, and the clone, both inhale deeply. "Bruce is utterly obsessed with you-" realizing their word choice they quickly add, "within a healthy amount and one little punch isn't going to turn him off. It actually might turn him on." Allie's fear instantly turns to laughter and faux disgust as she bats at Alex.

"Alex!"

"Don't laugh too hard Allie, your ribs," Alex warns but smiles fondly.

"You're right, pain," Allie groans as her laughter shakes her chest.

"Lay back and try to keep as still as possible," Alex instructs. "Try not to punch Bruce again."

"I'll keep still until he gets here and I can figure out how to move independently."

"Good, I'll tell Bruce the coast is clear." Alex then walks from the room while muttering to themself the difficulties of having three Allie's around.

III

"She promises to sit tight, you should be good to go now."

Bruce sighs in relief at the text from Alex and lets his head fall back on the headrest. He kisses Allie Two's hair and then shuffles her off his lap and then buckles her in. Bruce then heaves the wheelchair into his trunk and gets into the driver's seat.

The rest of the trip to GrayRidge Estate is blissfully uneventful.

On the drive, he contemplates how Allie's knowledge of their vigilante behavior and her new powers will change things. Alex, Allie, and Bruce have had a fun dynamic between the biweekly schmoozing dinners, galas, and friendly business competition. The girls have become just as important to him as Alfred and Dick; his chosen family.

Bruce glances at the rearview mirror and lays his eyes on the peaceful Allison Gray.

"My heart had been empty for a long time before I met you Allison Gray, but you have brought back all my feelings." Bruce huffs and shakes his head, the words sound overly poetic and awkward. "You've always been better with words than me, than most."

Bruce Wayne sighs and shakes his head, returning his focus to the road.

"You're the key in this Allie. I need you to be alright with Batman, with the truth, because I need you and I need Alex in my life. Dick left and I can't take that again."

The body in the back of the car is silent and unmoving, she appears to hear nothing, but the girl in bed miles away hears it all.