Author's Note: Guys, this is the last chapter of "Hit Me Baby..." and I hope it lives up to the hype! All of your comments and support have been appreciated and I can't wait to share with you all what I have planned next!

Six months after Maggie's move to Metropolis, Alex is beginning to feel the strain of their separation. Will Maggie give up her dream and return to National City or will Alex be stuck second-guessing her decision to send her love away?

National City International Airport was always buzzing with activity yet it had rarely seen a send off like todays. It was the day all the 'Super-friends' had been dreading: Maggie's inevitable departure to Metropolis. The six weeks the Metropolis PD had given the detective to settle her affairs had gone by far too quickly and none of them wanted to admit this might actually be goodbye for quite some time. Eliza had been unable to make it down from Midvale but had Skyped with her newest adopted child tearfully for nearly two hours the night before. While Maggie maintained her composure throughout the call, she sobbed like a baby once it was over. She couldn't believe how nice it felt to have a mom again, if only for a little while.

Or a family for that matter.

Alex had given her these things and no matter what their future held she would forever be grateful. Maggie hadn't really expected everyone to come say goodbye but she was deeply touched they had. Each member of her family took their turn saying their goodbyes, much to the other passenger's dismay. Even the enigmatic Lucy Lane had sent her a text about how thrilled she was to have someone "fun" to stay with when she came to Metropolis. Apparently, Lois and "Super-stiff" as Lucy called him, were less than enjoyable hosts.

Up first to bid farewell was her little brother, Winn.

"You're a good egg Sawyer." He told her with a sad smile before handing her a small device. "It's a modified fire-stick. I loaded it with all the movies we've watched together so that even if you're in Metropolis, you'll still be part of 'Movie Night'. Take care of yourself."

With a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, he stepped back to allow for the next goodbye. James smiled down at her, his dimples nearly impressive as her own. He too came bearing gifts, handing her a beautiful frame. In it was a picture of all the 'Super-friends' lounging on the beach, each looking happy and relaxed. James had taken it just a few weeks before when they had all gone to Eliza's for the weekend. She smiled remembering that James had barely made it into the picture before the timer had gone off.

"James..." She began, willing her emotions not to betray her but he shook his head, wrapping her in his big arms instead.

"Don't start." He chastised her quietly. "There's a reason I take pictures...I'm not so great with words but just know, you'll always have family here, okay?" She nodded shakily when he released her, a single tear escaping as he bent and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Next came Kara, lower lip wobbling dangerously, she pulled Maggie into a near-painful hug! "Thank you." She whispered so only Maggie could hear. "For taking care of Alex when I couldn't; for helping her become her true self and for adopting a goofy alien as your little sister, even though I break things sometimes."

"Dammit, Little Danvers," Maggie muttered, turning her face into Kara's shoulder. "I was trying not to cry!"

Kara gave a wet laugh before pushing Maggie away and holding her at arm's length. "Try to stay out of trouble." She chastised lovingly before taking off her necklace and offering it to Maggie. "But in case you can't..."

Kara quickly looped the necklace over Maggie's head as she ducked to inspect it. The chain and pendant were almost identical to the one Kara wore but on the back of the pendant, the crest of the House of El was engraved.

"It's a beacon. All you have to do is squeeze it and I'll come." Kara explained with a soft smile. "I know you'll be out there with Kal but everyone knows I'm faster...and stronger." She finished with a conspiratory whisper.

As Kara backed up, Lena rushed forward and wrapped Maggie in the most tender hug the detective could ever remember receiving. The younger Luthor gave Maggie a sad smile before retreating to where Kara was standing, eyes wide and tearful, unable to put her sadness into words. Maggie guessed that Lena had helped with the design of her beacon and she gave the younger woman a tearful smile in return. It was hard to believe the woman she'd arrested last year had become a part of her little rag-tag family.

"Maggie." J'onn's deep baritone pulled the detective out of her reverie. "I never thought I'd have more children after I lost my girls but here I am...bursting with pride and sadness as I see my newest daughter off. I could never have asked for more in a child Maggie, nor could I be more proud. Thank you for loving both sides of this family, human..." he leaned in with a small smirk, eyes glowing red. "And otherwise."

He gripped Maggie tightly in his arms and whispered, "M'gann sends her love and don't forget, Kara's not the only one who can fly." With a wink he stepped back, leading the 'Super-friends' away so Maggie could say her last and most painful goodbye.

Alex stood before her, staring at her boots as she tried to compose herself. Maggie took a moment to take in her love. She was as beautiful as the day they'd met on that tarmac; though now she wore her customary leather jacket and jeans instead of the tailored suit that always drove Maggie crazy. The agent was almost fully recovered from her run-in with the K'hund and the detrimental effects of the re-gen meds save for the black brace still gracing her left arm. Not even a week after Maggie had returned from Metropolis the first time, Alex had grown frustrated with her slow recovery and single-handedly synthesized an enzyme that could counteract the re-gen meds ill effects.

It wasn't really a surprise, not to Maggie. If there was one thing Alex Danvers couldn't do, it was to remain idle. She knew the agent hated being sidelined but she also knew that Alex didn't want to waste their last few weeks together languishing in bed, unable to care for herself. Instead, the pair had shared laughter and love, taken long rides on their bikes, enjoyed lazy weekends in bed, and visited their favorite spots around National City. Alex had helped her pack her things for the move and it had gone surprisingly well, with only a minimum amount of tears. Maggie thought it appropriate, as there would surely be more than enough tears today.

"Hey Danvers." She whispered, gently tapping Alex's chin to get the other woman to look up. When Alex met her eyes, she smiled sadly. "This isn't goodbye, it could never be goodbye. You mean the world to me and I will always come back to you."

"Doesn't make it hurt less." Alex huffed out, sounding petulant and a little childish which got a sad chuckle out of Maggie.

"I know, babe, believe me I know." She sighed, leaning their foreheads together, fingers tangled with Alex's gently caressing the Velcro of her brace, both preparing themselves for the inevitable.

"I want you, Maggie and the only way I want a family is if you're a part of it. I just need you to know that before you go. You're enough Maggie, more than. You're it for me Sawyer, and don't you forget it." Alex told her with a bit of a growl at the end that always gave Maggie butterflies.

"I love you Alex Danvers and don't you forget it." She replied, pulling Alex down to her for a soft kiss. When they parted she cupped Alex's face lovingly. "And try not to destroy my bike while I'm gone!"

"Oh, please!" Alex scoffed. "I ride that bike better than you ever did."

"You got me there..." Maggie agreed, stopping mid-sentence when she heard the stewardess announce the final boarding call. "Guess that's me... Just remember that I love you, Alex."

"You too, Maggie. Forever."

The pair shared another soft, tearful kiss that was over all too soon.

With a sad smile, Maggie turned and picked up her bag, willing herself to keep walking even as every step wrenched her heart in two. Alex watched her go, rooted to the spot, realizing suddenly that Maggie had pressed something into her hand. She opened it slowly and her tears ran anew. In her palm sat Maggie's engagement ring, the inscription mocking her.

Ride or Die, it stated.

She raised her head to see Maggie disappear through the door leading to her flight. The detective flashed her one last watery smile.

"See you around, Sawyer." She whispered because it was too hard to say goodbye.

It had been six months since Maggie left for Metropolis.

Six moths, four days, seventeen hours and thirty-two minutes...but it wasn't like Alex was counting. It was more like lingering anticipation, that feeling you got as a child when you knew something amazing was just around the corner but the wait was interminable.

Except she had no idea when she would finally get her reward, when Maggie would finally return.

The inclusion program Maggie had originally proposed had been established and so well received, it was currently being expanded, which meant the petite detective wouldn't be coming back to National City anytime soon. While Maggie's career was soaring, her relationship with Alex was beginning to stall. There was only so much weekend trips and Skype could do to keep the home fires roaring. Alex hated that she was feeling so unsatisfied when it was she who had encouraged Maggie to go.

"You did what was best for her, Alex." Kara had reassured her at their third "Sister's Night" that week. Without Maggie it seemed her social calendar was not nearly as full as she'd once believed.

"I know that, Kar. But what if isn't what's best for me? I feel like my life was moving forward and suddenly, everything just...stopped." She sighed into the couch cushions, voice muffled. The younger Danvers wore an amused smile as she rubbed her siblings back in consolation; while Alex remained slumped face first on the couch, posture awash in resignation.

The engagement was currently off, Alex had both rings in her gun safe; with no engagement there were clearly no wedding plans and the agent felt uneasy as to where she and Maggie currently stood. "Girlfriends" seemed inadequate given their proposal, the fact that they'd shared a home and had once planned to build a life together; yet it still felt better than the bleak alternative that maybe, the pair were now truly nothing at all.

Sleep eluded Alex that night even with the reassuring presence of Ice Cream; her bed felt cavernous, as it had nearly every night since half her heart had relocated to Metropolis.

The next day Alex sat in her lab, morosely sipping her fifth cup of coffee, though she had only been on site for a couple of hours. Her head was pounding from the lack of sleep and J'onn had been giving her concerned looks each time he passed the lab, no doubt reading more than her dour mood.

A quiet knock on the glass surrounding her lab and a tentative "Danvers?" snapped the agent out of her brooding.

"Whatever you want, I'm busy." Alex growled without so much as a sideways glance in the speaker's direction.

"What if all I want is you?" The voice asked, nearly too soft to hear.

Alex sat up straight at that. It couldn't be. No, her exhaustion was definitely taking its toll. There was no way in hell this could be real. Yet...part of her still ached; hoped that if she spun around, her love would be there, wearing that beat up leather jacket and lopsided smile. With shaking hands, she sat the Styrofoam cup on her desk and turned slowly in her seat.

"Ma-mags?" She stuttered as she took in the sight before her. "You...you're really here?"

Maggie cocked her head to the side, dimples barely peeking through. "Normally, I'd say something cocky...but yeah, Ally, it's me babe." She stepped cautiously into the room kneeling before Alex, concern written largely on her face.

Alex still couldn't believe her eyes but if this was a dream, she intended to take full advantage. She surged forward and kissed Maggie with all the love and longing she had built up over the past months surprised and delighted when Maggie tasted exactly as she remembered; even more delighted when the mouth moved against hers, seeming as desperate to reconnect as she was. Eventually the need for air became insistent and Alex pulled back reluctantly to find Maggie regarding her with a dazzling smile.

"How are you here? Did Kara...?" Alex could barely string her thoughts together, mind and mouth still buzzing from that kiss. Maggie laughed lightly as she reached up to cup Alex's cheek.

"No. Little Danvers is fast and all but there's no place to put my luggage!"

"Luggage?" Alex hoped that meant what she thought it did...

"Yeah, luggage. As in my stuff, that I'm hoping you let me move back into our apartment. You know the one; oversized bed, zero privacy." Alex couldn't help but laugh at that. She leaned forward to kiss Maggie again when a sudden realization had her pulling up short!

"What about the program?" She asked, eyes wide with worry. "You were doing such great things and they're expanding! They can't do it without you!" Maggie brought her other hand up to cradle Alex's face between her hands, trying to still her panic.

"Hey Ally, baby, hey! It's okay. I mean, yeah I helped get the program up and running but I met some great people in Metropolis, both in the community and on the force. They were ready for change and I just gave them the tools to make it happen. So yeah, it got expanded but they don't need me and I was needed somewhere more important."

"Here?" Alex asked with a slight tremble in her voice. Maggie smiled wide and bright as she leaned forward and kissed her gently.

"Yeah, baby, here." The petite brunette confirmed, dimples on full display.

"Rao, I missed you so much." Alex whispered, unable to stop touching Maggie.

"Me, too." Maggie sighed before leaning back. "I loved everything I was doing in Metropolis but there was always something missing. Every night that I came home to that empty apartment and ordered takeout for one, I knew that wasn't where I was meant to be. Maybe a few years ago, it would have been enough but now, I know no success is worth it if I can't share it with you. I'd rather slum it forever in the NCPD just to be near you than be the next big thing in Metropolis."

"Slum it with the NCPD?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow. "Maggie Sawyer, I know for a fact that no matter where you are, your talents will always shine through. I roomed with a girl who can touch the stars, I think I know a thing or two about greatness."

"Oh yeah?" Maggie challenged with her own raised eyebrow.

"Yeah." Alex agreed, stealing another quick kiss, threading their fingers together. It was then she noticed the cold metal on Maggie's left hand. Maggie followed her gaze then dug into her coat pocket.

"I almost forgot..." She muttered. "I was gonna wait for you to come home tonight but..." She opened her palm to reveal Alex's ring. "I was hoping you might still wanna marry me, too?"

"No." Alex told her as she slid off her chair to kneel on the floor before Maggie. "I don't still want to marry you. I never stopped wanting to marry you. I told you before, you're it for me Sawyer."

"A lifetime of firsts." Maggie said as she slipped the ring back into its rightful place. "I wanna have them all with you Alex; and with Kara, and the crazy Super-friends and one day even our little Baby Danvers!"

"Baby Danvers?" Alex squeaked in surprise.

"Well we can't call 'em Baby Sawyers!" Maggie retorted, snorting loudly! "I'll be damned if I hang that name on any kid of mine, of ours. Nope, they gotta be Danvers and that's final."

"Mags? Are you sure?" Alex searched Maggie's face for any sign of uncertainty and found none. It seemed as if this is what the other woman truly wanted.

"Never been more sure in my life, Danvers." Maggie assured her as she pulled Alex to her feet. "If you want a family, that's what we'll have, because I am never letting you go. You're it for me too, Danvers. I'm not going anywhere."

Alex could only nod happily through her tears before pulling Maggie into a searing kiss. It was so much like the one they'd shared in Alex's apartment that very first night. But where that kiss was filled with lust and uncertainty, this kiss was full of purpose and commitment. A shout from the hall startled the pair apart and they turned to see Kara standing just outside the lab cheering wildly.

"Winn!" She shouted towards the command center. "We're getting married!"

The accompanying shout of "Hell yeah! Sanvers forever!" was equally ridiculous but brought a goofy smile to both women's faces.

Alex glanced down at Maggie's smiling face, dimples impossibly deep and thought to herself, Yeah. I could definitely get used to forever.