Elena

Oddly enough, Elena was someone that Andrew had clicked with. It had been so long since Andrew had a conversation outside of Vought. A conversation free of Sage Grove and his experiments was welcoming. Sometimes, Andrew knew he could come off as intrusive and controlling and it was all true. He was those things but they made him who he was. The ensured that Andrew was almost at the top of his career.

Even now, the TV was airing that segment of The Homelander and Queen Maeve. Andrew couldn’t begin to understand what Elena was going through. “I can’t imagine.” Andrew offered her a sympathetic smile. It was all he had right now other than bad coffee. “But I’m sure Queen Maeve will help with this circus. She’s a pro by now.” The hoops Vought had her jump through was a joke. Queen Maeve was a different person to who she presented when the cameras were rolling.

~~~~~~~~~~

Elena sighed when her gaze flickered up to catch the tv screen airing that segment all over again. She wasn’t all that fond of anything to do with Vought, but Andrew at least had some things that she could respect. Even if there was things she still held some contempt about. Elena wasn’t the type of person to focus on the bad unless she was pushed too far. So she chose to focus on the smile he sent her way by returning it with a weak one of her own. Like she had others before she was choosing to give him a second chance.

“I just want to help those that I can at my clinic. My private life shouldn’t be anyone else’s business. I practice medicine not politics.” She didn’t have any media training or any desire to deal with this. That was without taking into account the threat she couldn’t admit to because nobody would believe her. “She is far better at dealing with them than I am or ever want to be.” There was a hint of fondness in her voice when talking of Maeve. The whole world knew now so she didn’t see a point in completely concealing it.

🎭 - A Former Friend

Elena’s Former Best Friend

\

Maeve was familiar with her story. Elena had opened so much up to her and told her things she wouldn’t dream of. She often wondered if she should of done the same sooner. However, she didn’t want to put her in any danger. Didn’t want to ruin any illusion Elena had of her. However, she managed to do that all on her own with leaving and her drinking. She had proven already that she was no hero to the other woman. “I can make this right. I can. I just…I don’t know how yet.” Elena always said she knew what to do but Maeve often found it to be the other way around.

She nodded. It wasn’t about just staying alive anymore. Homelander had gone too far and pushed her to her breaking point. It wasn’t just her she had to worry about now and she felt something she hadn’t felt for a long time; to do what was right. It had always been there but she drowned it out with sexual encounters and alcohol. Now, it couldn’t be ignored. “As he can be. I’ve tried reaching out but, understandably, he doesn’t want to know. I’m just worried if he isn’t with me then…” She trailed off, the answer being obvious.

~~~~~~~~~~

Elena could feel her hands beginning to shake a little as that fear grew closer to the surface. She just needed to hold it together for a little longer so she forced her hands to still. That much she could manage she hoped. Even thought it felt like her whole world had been turned on its head she did have one point of certainty to anchor herself to. Maeve might disagree at times, but Elena would always see her as a hero. One that right now Elena was putting her life in their hands and choosing to trust.

With as much calm certainty as she could manage Elena said, “You will figure out a way. You always do. And I won’t go anywhere while you figure that out.” The topic of her son however was a much different one. As it wasn’t just Elena and Maeve’s lives hanging in the balance. Her mystery son whoever he was, was in just as much danger. “Because you care about him. And that’s enough for me to care too. He deserves your protection just as much as I do if not more. Family is one of the most important things out there. Who is he? If you want to tell me that is.”

Richard smiled fondly at what she said before laughing at her reaction to her own words. “Cheesy or not, you’re right.” he replied, still laughing a little. It wasn’t malicious, he just found her reaction endearing.

At her comment about parents and family, he nodded in understanding. “Absolutely, it comes with the territory. Just part of being human, it’s always a mixed bag.” He leaned his head to the side a little, still smiling. His eyes flickered up as his coworker appeared from the main building, looking for him. Her appointment must of finished. 

“Unfortunately, I have to go. It’s been lovely speaking with you, Elena.” He said as he stood up. He searched for one of his simple business cards and gave it to her. “If you ever need a friend, I’m always available.” 

~~~~~~~~~~

While she had been talking with Richard, Elena hadn’t realized the time that had been passing. Just focused on the conversation at hand and let the thoughts of the hospital fade away. It was quite a nice feeling and she didn’t mind the discomfort that laughing had put on her stitches. That could wait, for now she would allow herself to just have a good moment amidst the chaos. Those were coming fewer and farer between lately.

“Hallmark cards are right occasionally even if they are so cheesy its embarrassing.” Her mood dipped when thinking on her family again. She didn’t plan on going anywhere near her parents anytime soon. Maria was the only family that she needed. “Nothing is ever just good and easy. There’s always a mix of complications. Just have to appreciate the good when it comes.”

When Richard moved to stand up Elena followed his gaze to someone walking looking around. Based on his reaction that was probably the coworker he had been waiting on. Which meant it was time for reality to set back in and the good moment to fade. “The pleasure was mutual. A bright spot that I needed today. Thank you.” She reached out and took the offered business card. She looked over it once before putting it in her pocket.

🌟 - A Different Family Member

Elena’s Younger Sister

Elena’s relationship with her family is very complicated to say the least. But the member of her family she is closest to without a doubt is her younger sister Maria. The two have been incredibly close their entire lives. Sticking by each other’s sides when their parents where too busy arguing with each other to raise either of them. They have learned to rely on each other and fill in the roles that their parents left void.

They have become so close to each other that neither can imagine spending a day without contacting the other at least once if not multiple times. The two siblings are opposites and that’s why they get alone so well. Elena tempering her younger sister’s more reckless tendencies so that she doesn’t get herself into too much trouble. Maria in turn pushing her older sister to get out of her comfort zone and have more fun instead of just focusing on work.

\

Maeve wasn’t one to lose her temper often. She often opted for a apathetic silence. To simply hold her tongue but she was at her breaking point. She had enough of being put in these situations and it was of her own doing. Living in fear of some blonde douche. Just because she had lived this way didn’t mean Elena or Blarney had to. She couldn’t put them through that. Maeve may not seem to give a damn about anything anymore but it was because perhaps she cared just too damn much.

Maeve nodded lightly. “I know. I’m sorry. I just seem to keep taking.” She muttered as she placed her forehead against hers. “But he can’t touch you now. The whole world knows and if he does anything, everyone will know. He made that mistake.” Maeve lifted her eyes to look at her. “And he forgets I know him best. I’ve seen nearly everything he has done. He is going to try but he knows that I know too much.” She assured her. “I will handle it. I promise.” She paused for a moment. “But I have to be honest. He wasn’t lying…I have a son.” 

~~~~~~~~~~

Elena shifted so that instead of having Maeve’s hands on her arms they were resting in her own. Holding onto them as if they were a lifeline in the middle of a storm as Maeve’s forehead came to rest against her own. “The things that I love in life have a habit of taking things and hurting me. My parents taking away their love and pushing me away when they found out that I liked girls. The army kicking me out when they felt like I was useless to them. But you have given me far more than you have ever taken away from me. Not for a second have I ever truly regretted meeting you even when I was hurting.”

The love that she felt was irrevocable and would likely never fade. “You are the strongest woman I know. I have faith that you will find a way to handle this even if my heart is racing faster than that train you stopped.” The pause that followed made Elena worry for a moment. Was there something else? Something worse that was the cause. However thankfully it wasn’t what she had feared. It was about the other half of that reveal. “Is he safe?” Because that is what jumped to her mind first. Even if she hadn’t met this kid he was connected to Maeve and that made him important to Elena too.

While Richard was social, he had limited friends. Most of his friends were back in Illinois, who he did keep in touch with, but it wasn’t the same as having friends around you. While he was friendly with his coworkers and the people in his parish, there was only a couple of them he’d consider friends. Not that he minded, he’d rather have few but good friends. Somebody he was happy to consider Elena as. 

Richard nodded in agreement at both of her comments. “Absolutely. While I would’ve loved my son to have siblings, we have a strong relationship, and I’m happy with that.” However, he knew his son had no friends, at least, none outside of Vought that he was aware of, which did worry him. “Honestly, he definitely dodged a bullet by not meeting his grandparents, that would not have been fun.” He said with a genuine chuckle, not bothered by what he was saying. 

He’d long accepted that his wife’s parents would never approve of him and didn’t care to meet their grandson, and while his own father was fine for the most part, his mother had been terrible. If anything, Richard was glad his son never got to meet them. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Having that strong familial bond was something that Elena understood the value of. While she might not have kids of her own she had a younger sister she had practically raised. Her parents were not all that involved in either of their upbringings. Elena had shouldered the responsibility for a long time in the family. “That kind of bond is something worth cherishing and holding onto. Things don’t ever really go as planned, but finding the happiness in what we have can make things go a lot smoother.” 

Elena sighed a bit embarrassed as she realized what she said. “And I sound like a cheesy Hallmark greeting card now. Wow that is not what I intended.” What came next she didn’t entirely intend to say it came out  before she realized it. Her mouth getting ahead of her mind. “I know that if I ever had children I wouldn’t take them to meet my parents. That is a bridge that was burned a long time ago.”

Yet surprisingly to Elena she wasn’t as embarrassed by letting that remark slip about her family as she had been about her awkward hallmark comment. That was something worth thinking on later. “But that’s family for you not all sunshine and roses.” She joked to try to at least somewhat recover. “Hallmark greeting card sayings and awkward family stories. Really killing it at conversation today.”

POINT CALL 11-22-20 to 11-28-20

Breakdown:

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Working at a school with a huge variety of children from many different backgrounds, Richard never talked about parents unless the other person brought it up. You never knew whose parents were happy, divorced, deceased, abusive or simply not in the picture. He learned early on with his son, who always seemed affected when asked by other adults about his parents or mother, when it was just Richard. 

Richard was interested in what Elena was saying, especially the way she was saying it. She sounded well-versed in and understanding of the topic, even if it wasn’t her specialty, and Richard liked listening to people like that. “Humans are so fascinating to me. We’re so complicated yet so simple at the same time with always new things to learn about, and yet there’s so much still not discovered.” He hadn’t followed any further studies after finishing High School, but still loved to learn.

“No, I’m an only child, so was my wife. My son is the only family I have left.” Richard replied. He wasn’t sad about that, it was just a fact, even if it was lonely at times. That had been one of the reasons Richard had wanted a few children, so that none of them would ever be lonely and they had a family to fall back on. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Elena had the feeling that she had made a good friend today in Richard. She certainly hadn’t expected an outcome like that out of a hospital stay. Her earlier encounter with Maeve where she had gotten some since of closeness for the first time in a while was already a surprise as it was. Elena hadn’t expected to have another positive experience much less make a new friend today. It was well worth the discomfort from her injury.

Her smile hadn’t stopped since it had come over her face earlier. “I don’t think we will ever truly discover everything there is to know about human beings. There are far too many mysteries to explore. With every new discovery that comes about a new one takes its place. And I quite like it that way. Keeps things interesting and unpredictable.”

Elena felt a tinge of sorrow upon hearing Richard speak about his family and his son being the only one he had left. She hoped that he had some good friends around him as well because he like everyone else deserved to have a good support network. “Family is an important thing to have in life no matter the size. It can be a strong pillar to lean on alongside friends.”

Richard gently and carefully put the photo of his wife back in his wallet, as if he was scared of damaging it. It wasn’t the only photo or memory he owned of Beatrice, but it was definitely his favorite. He smiled at hearing about Elena’s sister, both at the story, that he found endearing, and at knowing the other had a sister. 

He’d been an only child, same as his wife, and if things had gone differently, Richard would’ve loved to have more children, something Beatrice had echoed when they discussed their future. While he knew it depended on the family, he’d always felt a little lonely growing up, and would’ve enjoyed having a sibling. It’s not that he was jealous of those who did have them, but he always enjoyed listening to sibling stories. 

“She must be quite a character.” Richard chuckled, meaning it in a good way. “It’s always so tempting to do the opposite of what we’re told, especially if it’s from parents.” Working in a school and being a parents proved this to him. “Is it you and your sister, or do you have other siblings too?” 

~~~~~~~~~~

Elena’s sister was really the only member of her family that she was still close to. She had grown estranged with her parents to say the least after what had happened the last time she’d seen them. It had hurt, but made her value the connection she had with Maria even more. There was a connection and support system there that she didn’t have with anyone else. Even if she was so stubborn and reckless that it made Elena worry for the messes the younger woman had a habit of getting into.

She responded, “Quite a character is a mild way to put it.” She let out a soft laugh thinking more about Maria. Part of her was grateful that her sister was getting to go overseas for her next photoshoot, but another part was nervous she would get into some mess there that Elena would be too far away to help get her out of. The fine line between wanting the best and being worried about her tendencies. 

Elena was a bit surprised as Richard’s question was quite true. Most of the time it really did feel like it was just her and Maria. Given how non-existent their parents were in either of their lives. “That is human nature in and of itself. When someone tells us to do something the instinctual response is to do it anyway. I might not have taken a psychiatrist track, but I do remember that part from the textbook. No it’s just me and her against whatever the world throws at us. Do you have any siblings?”

\

“It wasn’t fucking enough, Elena!” Maeve snapped as she said she had done enough. Maeve punished herself so much for everything she didn’t stop. That it seemed that with all this power she could not protect even people she didn’t know. She couldn’t even protect people she loved and it was killing her inside. It made her think there was no point in trying because no matter what she did, she was always beaten. It never worked. “I-I’m sorry. I don’t mean to snap but…the whole world knows and things are going to get very messy here on out.” She warned her as she glanced back to the other woman.

As Elena asked her question, Maeve watched her for a moment, trying to find the right words to say. “He fucked up.” She said. “He revealed you to the world. He can’t touch you now. Not if your with me in the public eye.” She didn’t want it to be that way but now everyone had their eyes on Elena, it meant people were always watching. That meant Homelander couldn’t get away with doing anything to her without someone knowing. “I’ve got an apartment away from Vought Tower we can use and…and I’d die before I’d let anything happen to you.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Elena was already on edge enough as it was with everything going on. So  hearing the sudden way that Maeve snapped caused an involuntary flinch on Elena’s part. The tone of voice and the anger reminded her of her father. The way he would get angry and lash out at not only her but her sister as well. It was unnerving and sent a chill down her spine. But this wasn’t back then and Maeve wasn’t her father, she was more capable of love than he ever had been. Those thoughts were enough to center her again in the love that she held for the other woman.

The idea of going back with Maeve and right into the heart of the public eye felt like walking right into the line of fire. Like going right back into an active combat situation for the first time in a long time since she had left the military. Except this time the playing field was a lot more stacked against her. “This feels like walking back onto a battlefield all over again. But if you believe it is the best option I have to trust you.” The set of Elena’s jaw stiffened when Maeve mentioned being willing to die. The thought of loosing Maeve to him was terrifying to Elena. “No. I would rather let him do the worst he could to me than have that ever happen to you.”

Even though he and his son had an open dialogue, and they’d never lied to each other, he knew for a fact that Shockwave didn’t mention certain things that happened in Vought. Whenever he asked about how the other supes were, his son would just shrug and say something dismissive like ‘they’re fine’ or ‘what you see is what you get’ and move to a different topic. Having an honest, human conversation with somebody like Elena was rare to him these days, even in his own parish and work that he was active in. 

Looking at Beatrice’s photo, it gave him more joy than sadness. She wasn’t with him, but they had been so happy together, even at the end, that kept him going. Despite their family problems, they got through it all together. One thing that saddened him when he looked at the photo is that his son never got a chance to meet her, and he was so much like her, they would’ve gotten along amazingly. 

Richard’s smile widened as he looked at Elena, glad to know she had someone like that in her life. They were rare, but when they came into your life, be it family, friends or romantic, it was something to treasure, in Richard’s mind. “Can’t help but love.” He echoed in agreement with a nod. “Beatrice was the type of person that if you told she couldn’t do something, she’d go out of her way just to prove to you she could, within reason.” He remembered fondly, head tilting a little to the side. Another thing his son had inherited. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Talking with someone about something that made them happy was always like a breath of fresh air. The love and affection that was in their voices was something else. There was a kind of passion that she had never heard in someone’s voice that didn’t come otherwise. Elena loved seeing that kind of genuinely positive energy because she was a naturally uplifted person and thrived around people that were happy. Making this conversation a much welcome distraction from the rest of what was going on.

She had felt that kind of happiness herself too, when she had been with Maeve. The woman had made Elena feel things that no one else ever had before. Someone that she had and still did love with her entire heart. The kind of love that Elena knew in her gut would never come by again.  Because she had tried to find a way to fix the hole in her heart that Maeve had left behind. Yet nothing had ever filled it and she had accepted that years ago. There was always going to be a Maeve shaped hole in her heart. It was only a matter of if it was going to be filled or not.

Elena chose to just focus on the love she felt and not the betrayal. To let it flow into her voice, “Stubborn like a bull in all the best ways.” Her gaze drifted out in front of her as her thoughts turned to another woman in her life who was just as stubborn, her sister. Knowing it was safer to talk about her than Maeve. “My little sister is that way too. I remember when our parents told her she couldn’t climb the tree in our front yard. She decided to do it anyways and ended up doing it anyways. Fell and dislocated her wrist on the first try, but didn’t stop her from keeping at it until she got it right.”

All of Andrew’s lawyers had said the news would die down and he could go on with his life. That wasn’t the case. Andrew’s local coffee shop always had a reporter or two trying to get a quote or something from Andrew. Now he had to settle for a diner and the coffee was just the same as black sludge. 

Everywhere on the screens was The Homelander and Queen Maeve. The Homelander had outed Queen Maeve’s relationship and the woman looked familiar. It took Andrew long enough to recognize her but she was a doctor he had dealt with. He made her sign an NDA and everything, well, he wouldn’t help a dying kid unless Elena signed over her name and rights to talk about it. Still, Andrew felt no regrets.  Just as luck would have it, the very topic of the city was in the same diner as him. “I’m okay, here take a seat.” Andrew moved his papers off the table to make room for her. At least the press were talking about something other than Andrew’s father. “I take it you’ve been hounded by the press?”  Andrew passed her one of the free cups on the table and soon enough the waitress filled it up.

~~~~~~~~~~

Taking a quick glance around Elena didn’t see any reporters or onlookers  nearby that looked to be paying too close attention. So she figured this coffee shop was safe enough for now. From what she remembered of the last time she had come across Andrew she had been frustrated about his desire to put some secret above a child’s life. How insistent he had been about some stupid piece of paper and willing to let a child die if she hadn’t of signed it. She didn’t even know how little Mark was now.

However it was becoming clear that this was a conversation that she couldn’t avoid. So she shoved down the feelings that those memories were bringing up and hid behind the wall of her usual smile. Though the lines of that smile and her patience were strained by the stress wearing her down ever since that damned broadcast. Elena answered as she took the now full cup of coffee into her hands, “Everywhere I go since the broadcast aired. And I don’t imagine it will be over anytime soon. Long day wouldn’t even begin to cover it.”

\

Maeve ran her hand over her mouth, her expression clearly worried as she looked out the window. She was waiting for a pair of red eyes to be looking back at her. Was this what he wanted? He had just found another way to control her life all over again and this time, it wasn’t just her being dragged into it. She could somewhat put up a fight against Homelander but Elena? Maeve could break Elena with a flick of her wrist so what the hell could Homelander do?

“I just…” She shook her head. “I kept you a secret for so long so this didn’t happen. So none of this happened and…” She stopped talking as she looked back at the other woman. “I’ve just ruined your fucking life and your acting like I have just stubbed your toe.” Maeve didn’t quite understand how Elena was seemingly so calm. She had a great poker face in comparison to Maeve who now felt worried and even paranoid.

Maeve approached Elena and placed both her hands on her arms at an attempt to comfort her the best she could. “Stay with me.” She urged her as she looked back at Elena. “I’ve protected you from him this far. I can do it again. I’m asking a lot but your going to have to trust me. Okay?”

~~~~~~~~~~

Seeing the way Maeve’s eyes darted to the window made Elena’s worry grow. It also stoked the flame of anger within her as well. Directed right at the asshole responsible for this whole situation. She tried to hone in on that anger to drown out the fear that was flooding through her veins. But no matter how hard she tried to focus on how angry she was that fear still came crawling back. She didn’t know how much longer she could manage to keep it off of her face and project that sense of strength. After all no matter how much willpower she had she was still only human.

Elena shook her head, “You did what you could. Last I checked your powers didn’t include foresight. And unless that has changed there was no way for you to see this coming.” She bit down on her lip when Maeve equated her reaction to that of a stubbed toe. There was so much more to it than that. “Because if I let myself feel every bit of panic that’s rushing through me right now I am going to drown in it. So yes I have to believe I have just stubbed my toe.”

When Maeve approached her Elena couldn’t help but lean into the touch. Amidst all the uncertainty right now there was one anchor standing right there in front of her. One she had to believe wasn’t going to disappear. Elena didn’t have any other options or places to turn to right now. “Are you sure it would be safe to go back there?” A fraction of the worry that she was feeling slipping past the calm faced she put up when thinking of going to the Tower.

location: library coffee shop

status: closed

~~~~~~~~~~

The diner had proved to not be the safe haven she had hoped it would be. Even going to a place she didn’t frequent she had encountered someone. This was getting tiring and Elena could feel pressure building up behind her temples in a sure sign of a headache brewing. Great she could add a future headache to the list of things having gone wrong today. Hopefully the next spot she had chosen to go would prove to be more successful. The library was a naturally quiet place and it had a little coffee shop attached to it that Elena had chosen to come to. There was both potential quiet and caffeine to stave off the headache.

Coffee in hand Elena turned around and walked over to a table that looked pretty isolated in the back area. Her other hand went up to her temple and rubbed circles. She zoned out as she walked only focused on making it to the table and sitting in silence for a time. However before she could make it to the table she saw a familiar form sitting at a table to her right. She wouldn’t be able to make it to the table she had in mind without passing within view. That was just shaping up to be her luck today.

So with reluctance hidden behind a smile Elena came to a stop within view of her fellow doctor. “Hello Andrew. How are you?” Inwardly she was hoping this conversation would go smoothly and quickly.