Work Text
“So why did you nominate Alex?” says a voice from behind the camera.
“Uh…” Kara squints under the lights currently on her. “Well. My sister is the best person I know, hands down. She saves lives for a living and tries to make this world a better place for everybody in it. But like, she just doesn’t know how to take care of herself. She has absolutely no social life except for her best friend, Maggie. She hasn’t been on a date forever and she only ever wears power suits, at work and when she goes out. I think…. She has parts of her life together. Her career is going incredibly, y’know, she’s professional and she does a great job and she’s very successful in that way. I think she just needs a bit of a push when it comes to the other stuff. She’s always been there for me, giving me everything I could ever need, and I want her to know that she deserves the world just as much as I do.”
///
“It’s not often we have two people nominate the same person” says a voice from behind the camera. “We heard why Kara nominated Alex. But why did you?”
Maggie hesitates. “Alex is… Alex is extraordinary. Her family adopted Kara while she was in high school and her father died soon after, and her entire life has been about helping Kara and protecting Kara, even though Kara’s twenty-five and Alex is almost thirty. She’s always in Big Sister Mode and you see it spill over into every aspect of her life. At work, it’s always about making sure the people in her team are doing their best but also that they’re happy and well adjusted. And like, she’s a high level government official, which means the team she’s working with is huge. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for anything else in her life. I mean, we’re friends because our departments work together a lot, and we get together and drink after work. But I’ve never seen her, you know, hang out with anybody who isn’t me or her sister. And I haven’t seen her date
anybody
in the three years I’ve been friends with her.”
“She dated [redacted],” Kara calls out from the background.
“That was an undercover mission, and he stalked her relentlessly afterwards,” Maggie says, rolling her eyes. “I think I nominated Alex because I think the Fab Five can… help her realise who she is. I’ve always felt like she just hasn’t had time to fully understand her identity and the person she wants to be because she’s always doing that for somebody else in varying capacities. And I think if she took some time to think about herself and the type of life she wants to live, I think she’ll find a lot of the answers to the questions she refuses to ask, if that makes sense? I don’t know. I nominated Alex because I… I just want her to be happy. That’s it.”
///
“So Alex,” says the voice from behind the camera. “In what ways do you want the Fab Five to help you this week?”
Alex sighs. “I think… if I let them do their work, it’ll finally get my sister off my back.”
The person behind the camera laughs.
“I also think… I’m not very good at letting people in? I mean, my job requires me to put up so many walls for my safety and the safety of those around me. And I think I’ve gotten too good at building those walls because they make me feel safe and that leads to me being complacent in ways I don’t wanna be. Like, I can’t remember the last time I went on a date and I’ve never really been good at dating. It’s the one thing in life I could never really get a handle on. And I think if I work on presenting myself in a way that makes me comfortable and more approachable.”
“Both your sister and Maggie said you don’t really know how to put yourself first. Is that something you want to work on?”
Alex laughs. “I think I know how to put myself first, I just choose not to. I lead a really complicated life and job and if I don’t care for others, people are going to die. And a part of that is making sure I’m active and sleep and eat well and I take care of all of those things. Sure, going out now and then might be fun. And it would be fun to hang out with Maggie not in my work clothes or decompressing over a case. Maybe putting myself first would help with that. Who knows. I guess I’m just open to what this experience might give me.”
///
“How the [redacted] did you get in here?” Alex almost yells, her hand instinctively going for her gun. “This is a secure government building. There’s no way you should be in here.”
“We had help from the tall, gorgeous man over there,” Jonathan says, pointing at Jonn who stands in the corner, trying to avoid being on camera.
“He has such kind eyes,” Bobby says.
“And kinder biceps,” Tan adds.
“No seriously, what are you doing here?” Alex asks.
“We are taking you home so we can start getting you out of work for once and focusing on yourself,” Karamo says, jumping right in. “Oh, and I love this jumpsuit you’re working with.”
“I was gonna say the same thing!” Antoni interjects. “Is this your everyday uniform?”
“No, I’m actually in the middle of a mission right now. Usually I’m in regular suits--” she cuts herself short, clearly remembering that five civilians and their camera crew have somehow infiltrated the [redacted]. “You seriously can’t be here right now,
I’m in the middle of a very important mission.
”
“It’s okay,” Jonn says, finally stepping into the spotlight. “We have all the man power we need. You can take a week off.”
“This is a really--”
Supergirl appears out of nowhere, landing with her hands on her hips.
Jonathan shrieks, the others are speechless.
“I’ve got this, Agent Danvers. Don’t worry about it!”
The Fab Five spent ten minutes taking selfies with Supergirl before frog-marching Alex out of the [redacted] building and into their black SUV.
///
“So this is chez Danvers,” Karamo announces as the six of them pile into the apartment. Alex is changed back into a regular suit. They immediately spread out. Alex doesn’t know what to do with herself other than watch in abject horror as the five men in front of her run rampant around her apartment.
“There’s nothing in here!” Antoni shouts from the fridge. “How are you alive right now, the only thing in here is a lemon. Seriously. Nothing else.” He begins throwing cupboard doors open haphazardly, looking in horror at her lack of kitchen supplies
“I’ve had some late shifts. I usually just grab something to eat with Maggie or eat at Kara’s.”
“Do you ever cook??”
“If I do I burn it,” Alex admits. “Kara’s the cook. I’m the one who makes great cocktails.”
“You’ve mentioned Kara and Maggie constantly. Do you spend a lot of your time with them?” Karamo prompts.
“Well yeah, Kara’s my sister and she’s been my favorite person in the whole world since I was about sixteen.”
“That’s when your family adopted her?”
“No, it just took a few years for us to warm up to each other.”
They laugh together.
“So yeah,” Alex continues. “Kara’s been my favorite person since we were kids. And Maggie is my new other favorite person. We met at work three years ago and my life has just been so much better ever since.”
“It sounds like you guys are really close.”
“Finding Maggie just feels… I don’t know. It feels like we were always supposed to be in each other’s lives, y’know? I don’t know what life would be like without her in it.”
“So are you guys d--”
“HOW IS THERE NOT ONE SINGLE HAIR PRODUCT IN HERE?” comes Jonathan’s voice from the bathroom. He emerges, shocked. “You have one single moisturising product and nothing to do your hair with and I am drop dead
dying
right now because how is your skin so perfect like oh my god?”
Alex shrugs. “Good genes?”
Before Jonathan can reply, Alex is pulled to her closet by Tan.
“So what I’m seeing is a lot of white button up shirts and a few black suits and some gym clothes. Where are your weekend clothes??”
“I have a few t-shirts in those drawers and like two pairs of jeans I wear. Most weekends when I’m not working, I’m just in my pajamas all day.”
“Okay. And formal wear? If you went out on a date or to a nice dinner with Maggie or Kara?”
“I have a few dresses, but to be honest I’ve never felt totally comfortable in dresses.”
Tan nods. “So what I’m getting is that you want comfortable outfits to wear outside work. And you know what, I understand you have to wear this for work, but this suit is super unforgiving. It’s too big and to be honest with you right now you look like a mid-level manager at a Sears or a Walmart or something. Why are you wearing a suit that is clearly too big for you?”
“I don’t know,” Alex says. “I guess when I wear tighter fitting things I feel like I’m attracting attention I don’t want to attract, mostly from men.”
“You’ve spoken so much about how you love your team and all the people you work with. Surely the men in your life aren’t making inappropriate comments if they see you in more form-fitting clothing?”
“No, not at all. I guess… I guess I just don’t like the thought of men looking at me like that?”
“Okay…” Tan says. “We’ll work on it. We’ll figure out your style and things that make you feel comfortable and good at work and at home. Sound good?”
“Sounds great,” Alex says.
“Hello?” comes a voice from the front door. Maggie walks in timidly, and is immediately hugged by Jonathan.
“Oh my god you have to be Maggie!” he says. “I am OBSESSED with this hair!” He runs his hands through it, and she smiles her megawatt smile.
“Oh MY GOD THERE ARE DIMPLES!” He turns around to the rest of the room. ‘THERE ARE DIMPLES!”
“Hey Maggie,” Alex says, giving her a quick hug. “Guys, this is Maggie.”
Maggie gets passed around from guy to guy, hugging each of them.
“You’re ridiculously gorgeous,” Tan says.
Maggie laughs. “Thank you.”
“Now it’s a travesty Alex is single, but please tell me somebody’s snapped you up because there is no world I can think of where you aren’t killing it, baby,” Jonathan says.
“I’m actually between girlfriends at the moment--”
“ONE OF US!” he chants. The others join in. “ONE OF US! ONE OF US!”
“Can I steal you?” Bobby asks Alex while the others fawn over Maggie.
“Sure.”
Bobby sits down on Alex’s couch, and she sits beside him, ignoring the other four men pulling things out of her closet and going through her cabinets.
“So this space is amazing, it really is. I can tell you’ve got your shit together.”
Alex laughs. “Thank you.”
“That being said, there’s still a few things I want to do here. Firstly this couch is the most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever sat on. You work hard all week. You need a comfy couch.”
“Yes sir.”
“I think the big thing - the couch, the other things I wanna do - we need to make this place more inviting and more homey so you’re not spending all your time at work or at Kara’s. I want this to feel like a space where you can entertain people and relax and enjoy yourself.”
“That sounds… pretty amazing,” Alex says.
“I know!” Bobby replies. “It’s gonna
be
amazing!”
Meanwhile, Karamo chats with Maggie on Alex’s bed.
“So tell me more about Alex,” he says.
“She’s the coolest, most badass person I know,” Maggie says, “while also managing to be the biggest dork in the world. And I just want her to be happy with who she is.”
“Your interview made it seem like you think Alex isn’t sure of who she is,” Karamo says. “Why do you think that is?”
Maggie hesitates. “I just think that… Alex has very set ideas of what a life is supposed to look like. And I think that she needs to realise that there are other ways to be happy and live a fulfilling life, ways she might not even be aware of.”
“I’m not sure I follow-”
Maggie leans in really close. “I’ve seen the way Alex looks at women sometimes, and let me tell you, it is
not
straight.”
Understanding floods Karamo’s face.
“And I could never say this to her because this isn’t something that can just be said to her, y’know?”
“And you’re sure about this?”
“I mean, you can never be fully sure. But I just don’t want Alex’s life to be subpar or mediocre because she’s caught up in this idea of what it means to be the perfect daughter or the perfect sister.”
“You’re a good friend.”
Maggie shrugs. “She’s a better one.”
“Come over here!” Bobby calls out, and Karamo puts a comforting hand on Maggie’s shoulder.
“We got this,” he says, before joining the others on the couch, Jonathan splayed across Alex and Bobby’s laps.
“So I think,” Karamo says, “A great goal for you for the end of this week is maybe hosting a little dinner party. You, Kara, Maggie, some of your work friends. We’re gonna start tearing down some of these walls you’ve got up and we’re gonna get you in the kitchen, and comfortable outside of your workplace. Is that something you’re up for?”
“I think so,” she says with a little nod.
“Great! Then let’s get started!”
///
“Alex is a badass and everyone in her life knows it, and she knows it too. But she needs to realise that there’s more to life than just work, and that she can have a full, happy, meaningful life in ways she may not have imagined. I heard the way she spoke about Maggie and the way she looked at her and methinks that there’s a lot more than friendship on her mind.”
“Alex is almost thirty and she barely knows her way around a kitchen. I want her to be able to go in there and make herself a damn meal, or make something she can share with friends. Food is all about bringing people together and I think that Alex can better connect with the people in her life through it.”
“Right now, Alex doesn’t dress like the badass she is. I want to see her go out of her comfort zone in her casual wear AND in her work wear. She runs a [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] team for God’s sake, she needs to dress the part!”
“Alex’s place looks like it’s there just so she can sleep in it and what we want to do is create a space where she can truly feel comfortable and hang out and entertain in. I want her living her best life, not just saving other people’s lives.”
“I don’t know if I’m gonna say this to her face because she’s terrifying but right now her haircut looks like she’s about to go and scream at a Whole Foods manager and then pick up her son Bryson from soccer and drop her daughter Coriander at gymnastics. Like her bob is full on suburbian Mom and it needs to change and really show off who she is.”
///
Antoni:
“Okay so have you ever been here before?” They stand outside Noonan’s and Alex can’t help but laugh.
“Too many times. This is our go to restaurant.”
“First of all, clearly you have fantastic taste, and secondly that’s great for me. Because now it’s not gonna be scary; you already know you love this food. Today you’re just gonna learn how to make it.”
Moments later they’re in the kitchen and Alex is shaking hands with the head chef and she’s only minimally starstruck as she tells him he makes the best garlic chicken she’s ever had.
“Okay so we’re gonna do things a tiny bit differently today,” Antoni says as he hands her an apron. “You get to choose from Noonan’s menu what you want to make. The really great thing about this place is that everything on the menu is gorgeous, high end food but most of it is so simple to make.”
Alex thinks for a second as she ties her apron.
“What about the cauliflower garlic pizza?” Alex suggests.
“Ooft, starting off complicated, I like it. Is it your fave?”
Alex shakes her head. “It’s Maggie’s favourite. The whole idea is that I’m supposed to be cooking for my friends at the end of the week, might as well make something they love.”
They start preparing the food, Antoni slowly walking her through the different steps.
“Wow, you’re really good with that knife,” he says, watching her chop up cauliflower.
“I’m trained in four different forms of hand to hand knife combat,” she replies. His eyes go wide. “Also I used to cook a lot with my dad when I was younger.”
“Did you stop cooking after he passed away?”
Alex stops for a moment. When she speaks, her voice is softer, as though she’s trying to hold back tears.
“I guess I didn’t really notice that I ever stopped. My mom started working late nights and I had to study to get into a good college and dinner time became about sustenance rather than spending time together as a family. I mean, it’s been so long since I felt comfortable in a kitchen.”
“I know it must’ve been super hard for you to lose your dad when you were so young, but I think food is such a good way for us to connect with people in such a weirdly intimate way. Like for you to go to Maggie and be like ‘I made your favourite food from scratch just for you’ is a love language that just reaches a whole new level of relationship.”
“Yeah, you’re totally right.”
He hugs her, as she wipes away a few stray tears with the back of her hand.
“You got this,” he tells her. “And we gotta get a move on with the pizza.”
///
Tan:
“Okay, I’ve been trying to get a handle on how we’re going to approach this. Obviously we have to walk this fine line of professionalism and practicality, but we also want you to look
good
while you’re doing it. And then I’ve got some ideas for your casual wardrobe as well.”
“I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m a bit terrified,” Alex says.
“YOU terrified of ME?” Tan says, laying his hand on his chest in shock. “Sweetie, you are the single most terrifying person I’ve ever met.”
“People say that a lot,” Alex says, “But I really don’t see myself that way.”
“Well what we’re here to do,” Tan says, with the perfect segue, “is make sure that what you’re wearing on the outside reflects how you want to be seen. Now, I’ve been thinking about this a lot because I want to get this right. What I’m thinking for you is maybe what some people would call a more masculine look. Form fitting suits and sturdy boots and button up shirts.”
“I’ve always been… well, scared to wear more masculine clothing. My work is so, like, not feminine, that I always felt I had to dress a certain way outside of work, even if I didn’t like what I was wearing.”
“We have all these crazy ideas about masculinity and femininity and I hate talking like that. Clothing should be about the individual, not about what society imposes on certain pieces. Pants are pants. Shirts are shirts. Some people use their clothing to make radical statements, and others just use it to present the version of themselves they like the most.”
“I’ve always loved the way like, Janelle Monae looks in a suit, y’know? Or Ellen Page. Or I don’t even know. Those women always feel like they’re owning it and they’re cool in their own skin. I want to feel like that.”
“And they don’t at all look like they’re being masculine! They’re feminine in their own ways because they’re
women
and women can choose how to command their femininity. Now. Do you trust me to put you in clothes?”
Alex takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
“Let’s do this.”
///
Jonathan:
Jonathan takes her by the hand and leads her into a salon.
“Baby girl we are about to have
so
much fun,” he says. “Now I know what I think could look amazing on you and what we can do to really make this look work for you but I also wanna hear about what you want.”
Alex sits down in the chair in front of Jonathan and watches in the mirror as he plays with her hair.
“To be honest with you, I’m not so sure. I’ve always liked it short, but to be honest with you, I’ve never felt brave enough to go any shorter than it is now.”
“Can I be completely, totally honest with you?” he asks, and she nods. “First of all, she’s gorgeous, like healthy hair and a beautiful color that I totally adore. But right now - and I’m telling you this because I know we’re already best friends and there’s no way you can physically harm me with all these cameras around - but right now the vibe you’re giving off is like, full suburbian housewife vibes and I
know
that is not the look you should be giving off.”
“Yeah. I don’t like that vibe.”
“Right?? And I think we can go shorter and I think you can totally pull it off and it’ll look so freaking gorg on you I can’t even handle it. Are you okay with that.”
Alex nods timidly and Jonathan puts his hands on her shoulders.
“Baby girl, you are going to be so fine. You’re in the best hands.”
He begins cutting her hair, making light conversation to keep her calm.
“Can I ask why you’re scared of short hair? Like, in my opinion you should’ve done this years ago.”
“I know I give off a kick-your-ass vibe, but honestly I think I’m just scared with what people think.”
“You think people will judge you for having short hair?”
“I think people will think I’m, uh, like--”
“Like you’re a walking Pride float?”
“And it’s not that there’s anything wrong with being, y’know. It’s just. I’m not. Y’know.”
“I walk down the street in my clothes and with my hair, or I talk to someone for less than a second and they already know exactly who I am. In some places that can be really scary but most of the time, I’m just so gosh damn happy that I can be exactly who I want to be. And like the thing is that those people don’t know me. I could have a wife and kids at home - like, god forbid oh my god - but I could. People make snap judgements and that’s their own problem because it has nothing to do with you. It’s not about looking gay or straight or up or down or whatever, it’s about looking how you want to look and being the most shiny, sparkly, happy version of yourself you can be. And if that involves having shorter hair, well then missy it’s time I pull out my clippers.”
“Okay,” Alex nods. “I’m ready.”
“I am gonna make you look like such a freakin’ badass I cannot handle this.”
///
Karamo:
“Girl, I am living for this new haircut,” Karamo tells Alex as they get out of the car. “I
love
it.”
It’s buzzed on the sides and long on top, gelled back off her face.
She runs her hand on the short sides sheepishly.
“I sort of love it too.”
“I am so glad. And I’m also very impressed you haven’t asked me once where we’re headed right now.”
“I convinced a camera guy to tell me before, so I’m actually all good.”
Karamo laughs his big, hearty laugh, and it makes Alex smile. He takes her by the hand - something she’s gotten used to in the past week - and into a mostly empty coffee shop. At the back of the room sits a circle of women. Karamo makes Alex sit in an empty chair in the circle.
“Okay. Ladies, this is Alex. Alex, this is a group of badass women who live totally badass lives and at the end of the day manage to still have a social life and families and experience their womanhood in whatever way they want. We’re all gonna go around and tell each other our stories. I think it’s important, firstly, to experience friendship outside of your sister and Maggie, and I also think it’s important that you know that the life you want is possible.”
“Hi, I’m Natalie,” says the first woman. “I’m an EMT and have been since I was twenty three years old. I’ve always loved my job, even working night shifts because I know I’m helping people and making a difference. It got harder when I first got married, and now it’s even harder now that we’ve had our first baby. It’s hard leaving my wife alone in the middle of the night and knowing that it’s not always the safest job. I don’t know what would happen to my family if something happened to me. But I try not to think about it.”
The group goes on from there. Alex is the second last person to speak.
“My name’s Alex. I work for a [redacted] agency that [redacted] [redacted] [redacted]. My job takes up pretty much all of my time. When I’m not at work, I’m either sleeping or I’m hanging out with my sister or my best friend Maggie. I don’t know what I’d do without them. They keep me sane and grounded. It’s hard though, sometimes, that they’re kind of the only people in my life. I’ve given up on dating. I could never make it right, like, it just never felt
good.
Intimacy, dating, none of it. I guess I’ve started to think that maybe I just wasn’t built for that sort of thing, that maybe I’m just supposed to be the supportive sister and best friend who works a lot and helps people. I don’t know. But it’s been really great talking to you ladies.”
The woman beside Alex smiles when she realises it’s her turn to speak.
“My name’s Annie and I’m a detective and I guess I used to feel exactly like you. I never thought I’d find someone, that I just wasn’t built for dating. And then I met another cop at work and something just
clicked.
I couldn’t stop thinking about her and I needed to spend as much time together as possible and I thought it was because I wanted to be her friend. But the more time we spent together and the more I thought about it, the more I realised I was falling in love with her. And suddenly, everything made sense. Like, dating didn’t work for me because I thought I could only date guys. Anyway, Maddie and I have been married for three years this past October and we’re starting to look into adoption in the near future.”
Alex is as white as a ghost, eyes wide and filled with fear. Karamo thanks the women for being there and they all thank him and Alex and watch as he leads her away.
They get into the SUV in silence. Karamo looks at Alex, slightly worried. Alex just stares ahead. He drives and keeps driving and eventually they get to a secluded beach. The waves beat against the sand and Karamo leads Alex over the rocks, on a mini expedition. They find an area to sit down, looking over the waves as they crash onto the rockpools below. Alex stares straight ahead.
“I want to do something with you,” Karamo says softly. “I want to build your future here together.”
“Okay,” Alex replies, her voice barely audible over the waves.
“Your ideal future. Where are you?”
“In the suburbs. Maybe back in Midvale. Somewhere quiet with a neat house and front yard with a porch swing.”
“Where do you work?”
“Still for the [redacted]. But a lower job. Maybe a consultant or something. I don’t go into the field as much.”
“Are there kids in the house?”
“A mini army of them running around. Nieces, nephews, kids of my own.”
“So you’re married.”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s go back then. Your wedding. Where is it?”
“In a synagogue. Under a chuppah.”
“What are you wearing?”
“Something white. A suit, maybe. Something unorthodox, I think.”
“A lot of guests?”
“Mostly work friends and relatives.”
“Bouquet?”
“Something simple.”
“Who’s in your bridal party?”
“Kara, of course. And Jonn and Brainy an---”
Karamo cuts her off. “Where’s Maggie?”
The reply is immediate, automatic.
“She’s standing with me under the chuppah.”
Waves crash over the rocks as tears make their way down Alex’s cheeks. Karamo puts an arm around her as she cries.
“It’s always been Maggie,” she says. “God, I’m such an idiot.”
“No you’re not,” he says. “You’re a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent person who is no different to the person you were at the beginning of this week. This doesn’t change who you are, Alex. This makes you stronger. This makes you braver. This makes you open to love.”
“I don’t wanna ruin things. I can’t lose her friendship.”
“You won’t. You’re both adult enough to handle whatever life throws at you. If you’re meant to be in each other’s lives, then you will be. You guys have a crazy strong connection and this isn’t gonna ruin that.”
“How am I gonna tell Kara?” she says, a fresh round of tears forming.
“With me by your side,” he replies. “I got you.”
///
Back at the Apartment/Bobby:
“Holy shit, this hair looks phenomenal,” Tan says as he sees Alex. “You’ve outdone yourself, JVN.”
“Baby, it’s all Alex, she’s absolutely rocking it like a boss.”
“I can’t wait to see what looks Tanny picked out,” Antoni says.
“Are you ladies ready?” Bobby says, poking his head out the apartment door.
“YAS!” the men reply in unison. Jonathan uses his hands to cover Alex’s eyes as they open the door and lead her in.
He takes his hands away, and Alex gasps.
In front of her are two huge couches facing a brand new television. The walls are painted a brighter color. Family pictures hang on her once-empty walls, snapshots of her and Kara at various ages, of her parents, of her and Maggie. A partition separates her bed area from the rest of the room, giving a bit of privacy. And outside on the balcony, she can see new table and chairs and a whole area perfect for entertaining friends
“Oh my god,” Alex says. “Bobby, this is way too much.”
It feels like home, she wants to say. But instead she just throws her arms around him and squeezes tightly.
“I barely had to do anything,” he says. “I added a partition so that when you do have people over, they’re not staring into your bedroom right away. It’s a very personal space that not everyone should get to see. You have new appliances in the kitchen and new sets of pots and pans and everything. And outside you have the perfect area to hang out with friends during those long summer afternoons.”
“Are you ready for your fashion show?” Tan asks, and the Fab Five cheer. Alex puts on the clothes Tan pulls out for her.
“You ready, boys?” he calls out.
She steps out from behind the partition.
She hears their gasps and then not much else because they’re yelling too loudly.
She wears black suit pants, perfectly tailored, with a red t-shirt tucked in and a leather jacket on top.
“This is absolutely perfect for when you need to go for a bit of an undercover vibe at work,” Tan says to her and the others, “for when you’re blending in and stuff. Okay, next look!”
This time she comes out in a tight-fitting body combat suit.
Jonathan and Karamo fan each other.
“This I worked with [redacted] on. This you can wear on missions and at the [redacted] on regular days and you look so fucking badass. It’s breathable and it offers protection and most importantly it looks
great
. You’ve got a whole bunch of these, too. I’ve also put some in your locker at work.”
“This feels. Amazing.”
“Go on to the final look!” Tan proclaims.
She returns moments later, this time in a grey suit.
“BITCH!” Karamo screams above the others. “WEAR THAT SUIT!”
The pants are high waisted and her light blue button up shirt is tucked into them. She’s got matching suit jacket on top. She looks fucking great.
“Wait for the piece de resistance,” Tan says. “Jacket off.”
She takes it off, and Jonathan shrieks again as she reveals the black suspenders underneath.
“Panties. Flooded.” he says.
“You look incredible,” they tell her. And she takes a deep calming breath before addressing them.
“I thought this week would be you guys, like, updating my wardrobe and teaching me how to cook a steak or something. But what you’ve given me this week… You’re all the kindest, most compassionate people I’ve ever met. You’ve shown me the person I can be, the person I’ve been trying to hide for so long. And you’ve made it so clear that being that person is so okay. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe again, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. And I can never thank you enough for that. All the thanks in the world would never be enough.”
The Fab Five stand up and envelope her in a tight group hug.
“You are phenomenal,” Karamo says, his voice muffled by the hug. “And you are going to live a long, happy, full life.”
“But first you have to make dinner for your friends,” Antoni reminds her.
They bid their farewells, and Alex is all alone in her apartment once more.
///
The Loft:
The Fab Five settle onto their couch, drinks in hand.
“This week has been one of the most emotional weeks I’ve had on this show,” Karamo says. “Sitting with Alex on the rocks… I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.”
“She’s got this super strong exterior, but on the inside she’s this teeny tiny marshmallow,” Tan adds.
“Who could still kick all our asses,” Bobby says.
“Let’s watch our baby gay get ready,” Jonathan says, and he turns on the TV.
Alex stands at her wardrobe, going through the clothes. She settles on a pair of dark jeans, and a green button up shirt with a neat pattern on top. She puts a tweed jacket with brown elbow pads on top.
“You know what, that is actually a fantastic look,” Tan says, pleasantly surprised. “Maybe a bit formal for dinner with friends, but it looks great.”
“The student becomes the master,” Bobby replies.
Alex stands at the kitchen sink and starts preparing the pizza with expert precision.
“I think she’s better at this than I am,” Antoni admits.
With the cauliflower pizza in the oven, she starts on something else and he gasps.
“Don’t tell me she’s making a dessert, too! She’s really going all out here, oh my god. She’s surpassed us.”
Alex wanders outside, putting a vase of roses on the small table and lighting a candle in the middle.
“Interesting choice of decor for dinner,” Bobby observes, “but I guess it works?”
There’s a knock at the door. Alex answers it.
Maggie stands there, a huge smile on her face.
“Of course she’s the first one there,” Jonathan says. “What a lesbian.”
“They’re both so whipped,” Karamo says.
“You look incredible!” she says when she sees Alex, pulling her into a hug. “That hair! These clothes!”
“I’m a new woman,” Alex smiles. She takes Maggie by the hand and leads her to the balcony.
“Alex, it looks amazing out here!” she says. “But there won’t be enough room for all seven of us.”
“Oh,” Alex says. “Change of plans. It’s just going to be us tonight.”
“IT’S A DATE!” Tan yells. “SHE TURNED IT INTO A FLIPPING DATE.”
Jonathan falls off the couch.
“SHE’S GOING FOR IT!!!!!!!” Antoni screeches.
The oven dings.
“Take a seat, I’ll be right back.”
Maggie sits down, looking at the new and improved balcony. Moments later, Alex is back and puts the pizza on the table, sitting down across from Maggie.
“Oh my god, you got Noonan’s pizza. The absolute best.” She puts two slices of pizza on her plate. Alex’s remains empty. She bounces her leg nervously.
“I actually made it from scratch,” Alex says. “As well as the tiramisu for dessert.”
Maggie takes a bite and moans.
“I think I’m in love with you,” Maggie jokes, taking another bite.
“Well about that…” Alex says.
“She’s gonna tell her!” Karamo cries.
He gets silenced by the others.
“Here’s the thing,” Alex says. “This week has been the most intense week of my life. It’s made me think about things I’ve never thought about before, made me confront things that terrify me. But now I’m here and I feel better than I ever have before, more like myself than I knew was even possible.”
“I’m so glad--”
“No, you gotta let me finish. Or else I won’t be able to get it out.” She pauses. “I love you, Maggie. You’re the first person I think about when I imagine my future. You’re always there, right next to me. And I know this might go badly, I know you might not feel the same. But god, the way I feel about you… Once it hit me, I don’t understand how I didn’t realise before. Nothing has ever made more sense to me. And I know this might not be the best way to tell you, with cameras in our faces--”
“Oh no she’s rambling.”
“SHH!”
“-- But god, I love I love I love you. And when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
“I can’t believe you quoted Pride and Prejudice AND When Harry Met Sally at me.”
“I know it’s lame and I’m sorry but --”
“Hey, Alex?” Maggie says, cutting her off.
“Yeah?”
“I have a saying. It’s that life’s too short. And we should kiss the girls we want to kiss.”
“Okay?”
“And I really, really want to kiss you.”
Maggie stands slowly, taking Alex’s hands and pulling her to her feet.
And then they kiss. An electrifying, dazzling, years-in-the-making kiss.
Jonathan is openly sobbing, as are the rest of the Five.
Alex and Maggie continue to kiss.
///
QE Hip Tip:
Supergirl stands in the loft with the Fab Five. They all have their hands on their hips.
“Even heroes need their downtime,” she says. “Self care is a necessity for everyone.”
“Be sure to get it when and where you can,” Tan adds.
“So you can be your very best when the world needs you to be,” Karamo finishes for him.
“We all have our qualities that make us super,” says Jonathan, “and you don’t wanna wear yourself out.”
“And remember. Sometimes it’s the things that scare us the most that shape us,” Bobby says.
“So remember to embrace the fear,” Antoni says.
“Are you guys gonna bring us our drinks anytime soon?” Alex asks from the couch. Her arm is around Maggie, who snuggles into her side.
“Most important of all,” Supergirl says. “Celebrate love in every way, shape and form. Love is what makes it all worth it.”