A/N: Thank you guys so much for all this love! I love writing this story and I can't believe we only have two more episodes of season one left! If you're enjoying the story please leave a vote or a comment! 

***

Alex stormed into the office, her lips turned down into a frown, creasing the smooth skin around her mouth, plopping next to Mick.

He uncapped the glass decanter, swallowing the dark liquid before handing it to Alex, "Mission... almost accomplished."

"That bottle of Scotch was given to me by Rob Roy MacGregor in 1689." Rip protested, trying to swipe the decanter from her hands. Alex rolled her eyes and held it closer to her, taking a swig, making a face as she handed it back to Rory, the alcohol burning a hole in her throat but doing little else.

She couldn't even drink to forget about this day.

"We should be toasting to Savage's death." Sara scoffed, and Alex leaned against the table, nodding with her.

"Agreed,"

"Apart from celebrating murder," Stein interrupted, ever the moral compass, "Savage still has Carter brainwashed."

Leonard moved around, flanking Alex's other side, a smirk written across his face, "I don't know if you've been paying attention, Professor, but murdering Savage was always the plan."

Alex nodded, "Besides, Carter reincarnates," She struggled to contain the anger surging beneath her, threatening to boil over, "We should've killed Savage."

"As long as he's onboard and breathing," Leonard agreed, "Savage is a threat to everyone on this ship."

"So what, we just kill Savage and leave Carter a brainless drone?" Kendra's voice was grating, screeching in Alex's ears as her pulse began to race, hands clenching into fists at the ultimatum.

"Yes." She and Mick spoke at the same time.

Alex pressed herself upward, the anger moving from her gut to her chest, bubbling and boiling until it threatened to explode. "This isn't your Carter Kendra, this is Savage's guard and he will kill us,"

"You don't know that!" Kendra protested. Alex moved forward, getting in Kendra's face, trying to make the woman understand.

"Yes, I do!" Alex raised her voice, trying to keep herself from attacking the woman. Her hands began to shake, sweat forming on her brow, trickling down her neck as her body began to overheat, "The Carter you know is dead and gone, and nothing, not even Savage can bring him back! You wanted to be reunited with him?" She inhaled deeply, chest heaving, her next words catching everyone off guard as they spilled out of her mouth, "Then you should've died with him"

Kendra's mouth grew tight. Leonard's hands found themselves on her shoulders, gently pulling her away, "Alright, let's focus on the real problem here--"

Alex never tore her eyes from Kendra's, a fire burning in both of their gazes, playing chicken with each other. Neither of them wanted to be the first one to move.

"Sorry we're late," Ray's miraculous ability to disperse any tension in the room was incredibly welcome, and Alex finally turned away to see him and Jax enter the bridge, "but we found something."

As the boys talked science and terms she didn't understand, Alex faced Leonard, his chiding gaze reminding her that they were all unhappy with how things turned out. She clenched her jaw and tore herself out of his grip, joining Rory in drinking her sorrows away.

The alcohol scorched her throat again, and she finally rejoined the conversation when they were speaking words she understood.

"Well, that's the thing. It's not." Jax continued, and Alex searched the conversation for any clues as to what they could be talking about, "This technology's light years more advanced than anything from 2166."

"Who cares?" She spoke flatly, taking another swig from the decanter. Ray's eyes narrowed at her behavior, and before he could move, Rip pulled them back to attention.

"The Time Masters. They refused to take action against Savage because he didn't pose a threat to the timeline." Their Captain had a giddy look on his face, like he had just found presents under the tree.

Stein finished his thought for him, "But if he comes into possession of future technology..."

"It means he's been engaging in exactly the same manipulation of time that the Time Council were designed to prevent." Rip clapped his hands together, his smile growing wider.

"So now they'll finally sign off on undoing all the damage Savage has done to the world." Even Sara looked hopeful, but all Alex felt was empty.

Thankfully Mick was in the same boat as her, "Last time I checked, the Time Council was at the edge of the timeline, and this bucket of bolts can barely hold it together as it is."

"Gideon, what's the status of the Time Drive?"

The AI chirped cheerily, like the team wasn't already falling apart, "Stable, Captain. Plot a course for the Vanishing Point."

Rip tore the decanter from Alex's hand, taking a large sip himself, "Tonight, Vandal Savage faces justice for his crimes."

***

"I always knew you'd end up being the baddest bitch in town,"

Alex smiled at the voice, her hair whipping around her face as she turned to face the intruder, "turns out that includes space and time too"

Alex smirked, her teeth poking through slightly, "And here I was thinking that the great Fitz Chandler wouldn't see me off," She joked, standing up from her desk to embrace the man, squeezing him tightly, her hands cupping the back of his head.

"Well I don't know when you'll be back, I'd figure there's no time like the present," Fitz smiled pulling away from the hug, wiping his mop of hair out of his face.

Alex chuckled. She had missed him so much these past few months. It was starting to get lonely without him.

She fingered the pendant around her neck, the engraved W reminding her of the reason she had moved to National City in the first place.

Fitz grasped her hand, pulling it away from the pendant, sympathy in his eyes, "He'd be proud of you Al,"

She nodded, swallowing her grief as she reached up and unhooked it from her neck. Gently placing in Fitz's palms, she pressed her lips to the metal. "Take care of it for me?" She asked, trying not to choke on her words, "I don't wanna lose it."

Fitz nodded, "I will, I promise."

She watched as he tucked it into his leather jacket, and she checked her father's watch. It was almost time.

"For the record," Fitz pulled her back to reality, "He knew before any of us what you were capable of, and he'd want you to go."

Alex nodded, pulling Fitz in for one final hug.

***

He found Alex slouched in the corner of her bed, staring into space as he passed Leonard on the way out of the room.

"Careful Boy Scout," The man cautioned, patting Ray's shoulder, "She's not exactly happy with any of us right now."

Ray nodded gratefully, turning toward the sunken woman, her jaw clenched in fury.

"She let him live."

He didn't need to be a mind reader to figure out who Alex was talking about.

"We had him right there," Her voice caught in her throat, a shaky breath barely calming her down, "And she chose to let him live."

Ray hopped up on the bed, scooting back until he was pressed against the wall, shoulder to shoulder with the woman.

"It's been a rough day on all of us," He tried to stay neutral. Despite his grievances with her, Ray couldn't blame Kendra for not killing Savage. If it had been Anna, he'd probably have done the same thing.

Alex scoffed, "and I suppose you think I'm being irrational like everyone else on this ship,"

Ray shook his head, "I think your reasoning is good. We were recruited to kill Savage and...well that didn't turn out how anyone expected."

Her light chuckle was enough to send his pulse racing, the sound like sunshine filling the room. He wanted to hear more of it. He stroked the scapula jutting out of her back, the sensation of his skin on hers sending shivers down his spine.

"That's an understatement."

Heat exploded across his shoulder, Alex tucking her head just underneath his chin. They stayed in that position for a few minutes, neither of them wanting to break free.

Ray felt his throat constrict, heart pounding against his chest. Alex's soft breathing was hot against what little skin was exposed.

It was enough for his stomach to stir in pleasure at the thought, an image of them in a similar position, albeit with less clothes flashed across his mind, stirring something between his thighs. He promptly pulled away, standing up to avoid meeting eye contact with Alex.

His gaze drifted down to the offending appendage and he grimaced, closing his eyes, willing himself to think of something---anything--less attractive than the woman behind him.

"You're still in love with her,"

Yep, that did it. He turned around at her accusation, her soft brown eyes hardening as he neither confirmed nor denied it.

He wanted to say no. To tell her that she couldn't be further from the truth. That he had fallen out of love with Kendra a long time ago. That the only reason he proposed was because Alex was right. He wanted a family again.

He wanted Anna again.

"Alex, I promise you that's not why--"

Her laugh was mirthless, void of any of the sunshine he had loved earlier. "I'm so stupid,"

"Don't--this is not your fault,"

"Oh just shut up!" Her yell caught him off guard, reminding him of 1959, of the last time he had seen her before reuniting in 1960.

He tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat. He couldn't. No matter what he did, it always came back up.

Alex clenched her jaw, nails digging into her palms as her brows creased. He had never seen her like this before. He never wanted to see her like this again.

"Go to her then," it was callous, mocking whatever feelings he still had for the hawk goddess, "Save the woman you love, that's why you became a hero right?"

The blow struck him right where it meant to. His chest stung, the pain spreading to the rest of him as he bit his lip in frustration.

"Alex..." He didn't know what he was going to say. He had plenty he wanted to say.

But every time those thoughts crossed his brain he remembered Felicity.

He remembered getting shut down. Hard.

He couldn't go through that again, especially after Kendra just did the same thing.

To be rejected in that way by Alex...that would break him. He knew it would.

So he swallowed his words, ignoring what little signs she was exhibiting. Because he couldn't get his hopes up. He wouldn't.

"Just go." Alex choked out, turning her gaze to the floor.

Ray finally managed to swallow the lump, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he left her room.

Just as he was headed back to his own to wallow in self-pity, Gideon stopped him with one sentence.

"Excuse me Mr. Palmer, but Miss Saunders requests your presence in the storage bay"

Carter, he recalled.

He turned on his heels, shoving the emotions he had been feeling deep into his chest, so he wouldn't have to deal with them until later, slowly catching sight of the supposed soulmates as he rounded the corner and descended the stairs.

"Ray, thank god you're here," Kendra embraced him, the gesture feeling weird after weeks of not talking.

Ray's arms stayed crossed across his chest, staring daggers at the chained up man before them. While he was trying to repair his friendship with Kendra, he agreed with Alex. This wasn't Carter, and to keep Savage alive on the off chance he could save his life was foolish. His mind drifted toward the Amazon.

He had seen her in similar states before, their year together had given him plenty of clarity in that department. But he had never seen her so angry.

She was always calm. The collected one of the group. It rattled him to see her that way.

Enough to convince him that this was a bad idea.

"Kendra, are you sure about this?" He asked, trying to hide the fear in his voice. She paid no attention to him. Something in his chest constricted and he shut his mouth, letting her approach her ex-soulmate.

Kendra held out a picture of the two of them together, a baby in Kendra's arms, "Do you remember him? He was our son. Aldus."

Scythian scoffed, a gesture so unlike his doppelganger, "Do you really expect me to believe that?"

Kendra's eyebrows creased. She was running out of ideas, and Ray was getting restless.

"I expect you to remember your feelings," She pleaded, flashing the same soft smile that had won him over, "We were together. And we were happy. We were a family."

It almost looked like Carter was regaining his senses, but Ray caught sight of his shaking hands, the balled fists that were stretching out toward the woman, "Kendra, stay back!"

He yelled, his warning not fast enough.

Scythian moved his chains until his arm was wrapped fully around her windpipe, and Ray grabbed the nearest thing to him. Slamming the butt of the blaster in Scythian's face, it was enough to loosen his grip, sending Kendra free.

Her heavy gasps were the only thing heard in the storage room until Scythian sneered, reminding Ray that this was not Carter.

"Oops." The word was careless, callous. He didn't care what he did to Kendra.

He could feel his blood boiling at the thought. Unable to stomach the thought of Kendra alone with him, he turned toward the woman.

"Stay away from him," Ray cautioned, never taking his eyes off the prisoner, "I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?"

Ray turned around at the top of the stairs, meeting the wide-eyed gaze of his ex-girlfriend, "To end this."

When he reached the brig, he was surprised to see Rip leaving with a triumphant smile on his face, but somehow that didn't make Ray feel any less nervous. Especially since Vandal seemed pleased to see him.

"Dr. Palmer, To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Ray didn't want to beat around the bush. Instead, he cut straight to the chase.

"You're gonna tell me how to free Carter's mind." He puffed out his chest in an attempt to look more intimidating. He didn't feel intimidating.

"Oh, well, all you had to do was ask," Savage smirked, "Are you sure you want me to?"

Ray kept his gaze locked on the man, "Of course I'm sure."

It wasn't a lie. He wanted this to be over.

He wanted Savage to be dead and Kendra and Carter reunited. He wanted Alex to stop being so angry. He wanted things to return to normal.

Savage still looked unconvinced, "Because the moment I release him, you will lose her forever."

Ray shrugged, "I don't care about Kendra, not in that way. Not anymore."

Savage chuckled at his response, pacing the glass cell. "It seems you too have fallen for the Amazon's charms then?"

Ray refused to dignify his question with a response. Suddenly all that anger he had pushed down was bubbling again, trying to force its way to the surface.

"I don't need a verbal answer," Savage continued to play with him, "Your expression is confirmation enough, the real question is, does she know?"

Ray's shifting gaze was all he needed to figure out the answer.

Savage's chuckle was low, his smile never wavering, "or is she like Chay-Ara? The woman who refused you?"

"Alex is nothing like Kendra," Ray spat out, knowing that Savage was preying on his worst fears, trying to get a rise out of him. Unfortunately, it was working.

Savage pursed his lips, "I wouldn't be so sure," he ceased his pacing, meeting Ray at the glass door again, "Because no matter what you pick you will be losing one of them."\

The lump in his throat was back, and this time it refused to go away.

"But then they would hardly be the first women you've lost, now, would they?"

***

Alex was finally rejoining the team on the bridge when Kendra burst through the doors, tracks of tears staining her face.

"Savage has escaped." Her voice was thick, sobbing as she held her hand up to her mouth.

Alex's blood ran cold.

"What?" Rip raised his voice, but that only made Kendra more hysterical.

"Rip, I'm so sorry." She began, babbling on about her mistakes, "I went to talk to him about saving Carter, and then he kept saying all these things--"

"Pull up all the surveillance monitors, now!" Rip cut off the wailing woman, going straight into defense mode.

"I'm afraid Vandal Savage has already freed Carter Hall, and is preparing to disengage--" Gideon's voice warped into incomprehensible gibberish and the hairs on the back of Alex's neck stood up.

"Gideon?" The Amazon asked, trying to figure out what could've happened to their AI companion.

"Her entire operational matrix is offline," Stein informed them, laying on another problem they had to deal with, "And without her help..."

Rip clenched his jaw, "We'll have to make our approach the old-fashioned way."

Alex, frankly, couldn't care less about their navigational issues. She was more preoccupied with the villain Kendra let loose.

A view she was more than happy to share with her fellow teammates, "Shouldn't we be more worried about Savage?"

Rip's coat flourished as he whipped around, nodding in agreement, "Yes. Which is why I need you to take Mr. Rory, find Dr. Palmer and recapture Savage. In the meantime, if the rest of us can't figure out how to pilot the ship without Gideon, we're never gonna be able to leave the Time Stream."

Alex nodded, pulling her retractable sword out of her back pocket and unsheathing it.

Mick looked semi-impressed and grabbed his heat gun, "If you, me, and the idiot live through this, I'll make sure you kill her" He gestured toward Kendra, who looked scared enough as it was.

Alex smirked at his joke and wasted no time leaving to find Ray. They wasted a little time suiting up, but got to the hallway just in time to hear Savage's raging yell, followed by laser fire.

"You should've left me back in 2166!"

Alex rolled her eyes, "Should've killed you in 2166" She muttered under her breath.

"Who are you to stand up against me," He continued to yell, his blaster lighting up the hallway every time he fired, "Vandal Savage, destroyer of empires?"

It was Leonard who answered, "Leonard Snart, robber of ATMs!"

He popped out from behind the corner to send an icy blast Savage's way, and Alex slid forward, landing in a defensive position in front of Snart, bracelets blocking blaster fire. From behind one of the many doorways of the Waverider, the man wearing Carter Hall's face stepped out.

"It's still two against five," Mick spoke up, joining Leonard and Alex in the hallway, his heat gun prepped.

Savage's face twisted into a smile, "Come on!"

Mick and Leonard charged forward at Savage, Alex leading them while Ray and Kendra set their sights on Carter.

Mick and Leonard covered her from behind while she slid underneath the blaster fire, sending a kick into Savage's shins before pushing herself upward to continue the fight. Her lasso ripped the blaster out of Savage's hand, leaving him defenseless. She dodged his punch, slamming her foot into his gut, sending him reeling against the wall as the sound of a charging weapon was heard behind her.

She whipped around to see Ray running down the hallway, missing his shots against Savage. This gave the tyrant enough time to recover, elbowing Alex in the face and sending her reeling.

Mick Rory: Haircut! Move your fat head so I can get a clean shot!

Ray took over, trying to block Savage's blows and land a shot, but all he succeeded in doing was getting caught in Savage's grip, the tyrant using the photons to blast Mick and Leonard, missing the two by a hair, but still succeeding in knocking them out. Alex moved in with her sword, stabbing right through the man's stomach and Savage let out a guttural yell, launching one final photon into Ray's face, sending him collapsing to the floor unconscious.

The heat in her veins was boiling, bubbling as she panted. Chest constricting at the sight of Ray on the floor, she pressed forward, the man barely able to block her blows as she pushed him down the hallway, watching as Rip appeared out of nowhere to help Kendra take on Carter.

But she wasn't focused on that.

Savage drew his hand to his wound, playing with the blood that was now on his hands. His yell was a war cry and his blows grew faster, harder to block, but Alex didn't care. She ducked under his punches, swiping her leg against his, his injury making him slower than he already was.

His back slammed against the metal floor and Alex's vision turned red, kneeling on his wrist to pin him down, sword raised in a killing blow.

"Alex stop!" Rip's voice pierced her ears, breaking through the constant ringing.

She shook her head, "He deserves to die"

"No one agrees with you more than me," Rip tried to appeal to her, "But remember what you stand for. This isn't justice, this is vengeance."

The sword shook in her hands, blade quivering as she debated her options. She knew Rip was right. She wasn't that person anymore, and she didn't want to be.

Hot water hit her cheeks and with a sob, she dropped her sword, the metal clanging against the floor of the ship. She collapsed against the chest of the man who had talked her out of it, Rip's comforting hands embracing her.

The sound of a body stirring caught the Captain's attention, and he pulled the woman tighter to him, "He's alive. Ray's alive" He assured her, "You saved him. You saved us all."

***

A poker game was exactly what she needed right now. As she shuffled her cards trying to figure out which ones to play, Leonard kept his eyes on the door.

"Did you hear that?" He asked the two women he was playing with and Alex rolled her eyes.

Whatever he was doing wouldn't work on them.

Sara slapped his hand playfully, "Don't try to distract me."

Instead of playfully flirting back, Leonard tore their hand of cards away from them, shoving the deck in his pockets as he grasped his gun.

"We need to find somewhere to hide." His tone was urgent, begging them to listen to what he was saying. Sara and Alex exchanged apprehensive looks before turning back toward the rogue.

"Why?" Alex asked, trying to uncover his motives.

Leonard only said one word, "Alexa."