everyonelives | someone is on your side

[Technically that "you" is a "we" but she doesn't want to make things worse. She takes a breath as he processes before pushing herself up some more.]

I wasn't a paragon or anything, but apparently the Monitor wanted to remind Dad what he was fighting for or something. Anyway, the world that I lived in before crisis though? Star City was ... a mess. The criminals had taken over after Dad died, and things were just getting worse and worse and ...

[Deep breath.]

In that reality, JJ was a Deathstroke. He killed Zoe right in front of me. And everytime I looked at him, I saw her and I just ... eventually I couldn't deal anymore. Then, Faith showed up to give me the Slayer talk and I took the out.

( She couldn't make things worse. He could never blame his sister like that, for anything. Because she had reasons for everything and she always landed on her feet.

He tries keeping up. She wasn't a paragon and the Monitor needed their dad. The world she describes isn't far from the truth. Star City still has crime, but not to that degree. This other life, it sounded brutal. And worthy of being erased or replaced. Especially, when she gets to J.J. and his alter ego. )

Zoe? ( It pains him, the three musketeers down one musketeer. And thanks to J.J. ) No wonder you bolted. He was Deathstroke? So, everything about it being too much, you were reconciling what happened. Both you's. I can't believe you've been living with two lives in your head.

It was easier when I was with the Slayers. They didn't know me so if I slipped up between the two versions of me, they couldn't tell the difference.

[She rubs her eyes.]

But being around you, dad, everyone back home and having to juggle both ... it's going to be a lot. I don't even know what Dad knows about all of this.

You think he does?

( If it involved him, then it makes sense. Unless the Monitor wiped it from his mind, too. )

Are there two me's?

I don't know why he wouldn't?

[But they're in for a rude awakening later. She hesitates at the second question, unsure what she should tell him, but since the Zoe of it all was already out of the bag.]

Yeah. You had your own company, but under your mom's name. People weren't super fond of Queens.

Space-time continuum? Not going completely insane? ...Compassion?

( He has his ideas. )

So, instead of Queen Consolidated, Harris. I wasn't one of the criminals, was I?

No.

[She smiles slightly.]

But you were my guy in the chair. Though we didn't get to grow up together in that world. Mom took me away to this cabin in the middle of nowhere. No one knew I existed.

I was your Overwatch?

( But, more in an eventual capacity? )

Look, I have more questions, but I don't want to overload you. And, it feels like you've been overloaded for months. I'm sorry you had to live with that alone, Mia.

[She shakes her head.]

It was a choice I made. Not something you have to apologize for.

[But it does have her worried about going home. She knows that she was going to have to do it eventually, but now it's a little more real. She will deftly change the subject though:]

Cooper coming with us?

( Very, very smooth. But, it's something that does need to be discussed - between he and Cooper. )

I haven't asked. I know we talked about being together for real when this is all over. We didn't talk about where or what would happen then.

Well, maybe it's time for you guys to have that conversation.

[Because they've reached the end. Now they actually have to follow through on their word.]

For what it's worth, I like him. What he did was hard, and he did it anyway.

And he died for it.

( Who else is going to get a complex from that? This guy. )

[She reaches out and places a hand on his arm.]

Not really dead, and that wasn't your fault.

[Because yes, she sees that complex forming.]

I'm done blaming myself. I promise. But, he still died, temporarily or with that dark object. We found him dead.

( Yes, he's alive now. He reminds himself, closing and opening his eyes again. He finds his breath. )

Of everything we've seen as Queen's... I've seen, it's going to be a long time before I can get that image out of my head.

That's fair.

[She can't really judge, given the horror show she's been dealing with as of late.]

Want to talk about it?

No. Maybe later, or eventually. But, the less I talk about it, the less I think about it. And, if I'm preoccupied with that, then I'll worry about him dying again, for real. Because when he's not hunting, I'm on team Arrow or Team whatever. We're dangerous together.

( Which is also... kind of amazing and compatible. But, he worries! )

[She nods once.]

Well, if you decide you do want to talk about it, I'm here.

[She's pretty good at listening, even if she's not always great at advice.]

No offense, but I think I might want to talk to him about it. That's probably best, right?

( But, he promises to barge into your bedroom one night if it comes roaring back. )

Some would even say that's healthy.

[Which, you know, is a step up for the Queens as a rule.]

But if there's something you can't talk to him about, you know where to find me.

I'm sure I'll dig up a secret I'll have to keep.

( And it will be hers. )

Thanks, Mia. I love you.

Love you too.

[She pats his leg as she gets up, ready to head back to her end of the suite.]

I'm going to crash. I'll see you later.

Don't burn.

( Get it? William's also going to get what rest he can, trying to get a nap in. )

[And eventually Cooper will slip his way in, closing the door behind him and doing his best not to disturb William if he's asleep. Jacket gets draped on the chair, and he sits on the edge of the bed, taking his boots off.]

( He's slept enough. He's on edge after the last few days so as the bed sags down, he stirs, popping his head up. )

Hey. How'd the -- burning go?

It went. Monroe won't be coming back to bother us as a murderous spirit, which is better for everyone.

[he kicks out of his jeans, before shifting to lay down next to him.]

So it's really over now.

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