The house hadn’t really changed that much on the inside, but Beth still felt like a stranger. Though she had nobody but herself to blame for that, she was the one that did this to herself, even if it was the smartest move, even heroes had to make sacrifices. This one proved to be too painful for her to handle, which was why she had come crawling back. The ex-detective made her way downstairs, pausing to look at a photo of Oscar and Gemma once she arrived. 

Once the two were settled on the couch, Beth shrugged her jacket off, figuring she would be here a while, even if it was only to explain. “I panicked.” Was all she said to start with, her hands clasping together, her fingers twitching nervously between each other. “Paul was- he was a total fucking liar. I knew it. I’d known it for ages, he was with some…some organisation. He was getting closer and closer to me…and I thought he was gonna grab me in my sleep or something. Then, the hearing at work, how was I supposed to explain that I shot Maggie because I thought she was killing off a series of clones that I was part of?”

“They don’t just drop civilian shootings, Ali. Especially not such a high profile one. I was screwed. So…I made myself disappear. But…none of this was easy, Ali. I wanted to tell you, I mean, I played with the idea of…asking you to go with me for days. But you have a family and I couldn’t just take you away from that. It was for the best.” Beth explained quietly, before picking up the bottle and going to pour into her glass, instead deciding to just drink straight from the bottle, the honeyed liquid burning her throat, the heat comforting her, as it always had.

Alison nodded and placed one of her hands gently and comfortingly on Beth’s knee. “Beth, I understand why you had to disappear. That isn’t what has me puzzled.” She took another drink from her glass finishing it off. She held it out for Beth to refill. Once Beth had refilled the glass she set it down. She closed her eyes for a moment before speaking again. “I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me your plan. I could have played along well. My acting is getting much better, by the way. But honestly leaving me out of this was painful for me. More painful than it had to be.” She took another drink for strength.

“I mean, you certainly know how I feel about you. I’m sure you thought of how this would affect me.” She shook her head. “Uh, I’m sorry, I am being selfish.” She brought her hands to her temples. “I just really needed you. And I am afraid to think of how much you needed me during all of that.” 

She sat back on the couch with defeat. “You made a good decision and probably the best.” She smiled tiredly. Recalling all of the emotions she felt during Beth’s absence was definitely draining. “Thank you for coming back, Beth. I don’t know how much longer I could have played calm without you.” She felt a burn in her eyes but she knew crying would only embarrass her so she fought the tears.

{+2}

“I was thinking something more along the lines of ‘ruggedly handsome’, but I guess ‘intimidating’ works too.” He set the can on the counter, leaning back against it as he watched her search for a non-alcoholic beverage. “There’s some Dr. Pepper in the bottom drawer,” he said as he leaned over her to look. He laughed. “Yeah, y’gonna try to clean this place up? That’ll make Fe-Fe happy,” he told her, sarcasm evident in his tone.

Alison shook her head at the thought of drinking a Dr. Pepper. Instead she found a glass and put ice in it before filling it with water. She looked at Tony, “If I don’t clean it Felix won’t either, and you certainly won’t.” She walked past him into the living room with her water. She set the water on the coffee table before collecting empty beer bottles and cans. She took all she could carry to trash and dropped them in. “You know, instead of criticizing me for tidying up, you could clean up your mess around the place. Or better yet, you could sit on the couch silently.” She walked over to the coffee table and drank more from her glass of water. “So, which will it be Tony?” She looked to him with irritation.

Cosima laughed softly at Alison’s reply. It was certainly shocking to see Helena for the first time as she was so vastly different from all of them. Personality and looks wise. Still, to see all of these unique qualities in them was the most fascinating...

Alison smiled guiltily before laughing and nudged Cosima in return. “I’m only feisty because she is brutal. It’s impossible to be forgiving when it comes to my sisters.” She tensed up from the anger produced by talking of Rachel so she decided to change the subject. “Imagine if I used curse words as often as Sarah. You could call me a sailor.” She smiled as she teased about their sister.

“Okay..” Delphine really wanted to impress Cosima’s sisters and even if her and Alison did get along, she was still a bit wary about things and was afraid they didn’t like her still. “Merci.. I am sure I will.” The blonde took a bite and nodded in approval as she chewed. “These.. they taste amazing, Alison.” 

Alison’s face lit up. “Thank you!” She finished her brownie in another bite and chewed the last of her treat. She rinsed her mouth with another drink of water. “Well, I hate to leave before Cosima made it back, but I’ve got to go get the kids. I might stop back by after their practice.” She stood and headed toward the door. Before leaving, she turned to Delphine, “I’ll see you soon. Thanks for letting me wait here.”

Alison Hendrix, Orphan Black (via janersm)

{+2}

“Tomorrow, probably. He’s with a client,” Tony answered, finger quotes surrounding the word ‘client’. A grin graced his features as he pulled a beer out of the fridge and cracked it open. “Why? Don’t like being alone with Teasing Tony?”

Alison nodded. “Oh, that explains why he wasn’t answering my calls.” She walked over to the fridge. “I don’t mind being around you, Tony. You aren’t as intimidating as you think,” their faces relatively close as she spoke. To show she wasn’t afraid of him she smiled at him before turning her gaze to the fridge. “Is there anything in there to drink that is not toxic?” She peered into the fridge. “Are you staying here tonight? Because if you are, you might want to stay out of my way. The kids are with Donnie and I’ve already cleaned my entire house, so I came here to see Felix. But seeing that he isn’t here and that this place is a disaster I found a job to do.” 

Cosima laughed softly at Alison’s reply. It was certainly shocking to see Helena for the first time as she was so vastly different from all of them. Personality and looks wise. Still, to see all of these unique qualities in them was the most fascinating aspect and she welcomed them all with open arms. Although, the reservations of some were completely understandable. “Yeah, I guess science has helped me.” A sheepish expression came to her face as she admitted that. “It’s still very strange to see a new clone, you just want to hear how they speak. What their mannerisms are.” 

Alison nodded. “Oh yeah. Of course. The part I enjoy most is seeing how we all manage to pull off these very unique styles and we all still look hot.” She laughed. “It gives me confidence to think I could easily change my clothing and hair and still look good. I mean look at you. I never thought I could pull off that hair. Or short hair like Rachel’s. Even if she is a bitch, I have to admit that she looks good while ruining lives.” She laughed harder until she realized what she had said. Her hands shot up to her mouth. “Excuse my language.” She blushed.

Seeing Alison take a bottle of water from her bag, she felt stupid. “Désolée.. I did not ask if you wanted a drink. I apologize.. do you, want something else to drink? Ah, yes that would be nice.. They smell delicious, Alison.” 

“Oh, no thank you. I’m quite fine with my water.” Alison took a brownie out for each of them. “Here you go. I hope you enjoy.” She took a small bite of her brownie. “Mmm. Delicious.” She smiled.

“She is.. she is so, so charming.. it is what I first noticed about her.” What attracted her to her. Even if her and Cosima had been together for a while, admitting this to one of her girlfriend’s sisters, made her blush a little. “Cosima, she loves teaching them.. she will be a wonderful mother.” Delphine chuckled. “She is always late, I am used to it. Do you want me to call or text her?”

Alison smiled as Delphine chuckled. “Oh, no thanks. I can wait a bit longer.” Alison grabbed a water bottle from her purse and took a drink. “So, would you like one of the brownies now, since Cosima is taking her sweet time?”

{+2}

“I have the decency not to tease who aren’t fun to tease; you don’t fall on that list, Al,” Tony explained, chuckling as he stood up. “You want a drink?” Of course, they weren’t his drinks. They were at Felix’s apartment. But the beers were bought specifically for him, so he felt like he had the right to share. “Oh, wait, you’re, like, rehabilitated or somethin’, aren’t you?”

Alison rolled her eyes at his comment about being fun to tease. “Yes, I’m clean.” She smiled at him. “I appreciate the offer though.” She looked around the room nervously trying not to look at Tony for too long. “So, when will Felix be back?”

She pauses, surprised at just how relieved she is to see a familiar face again. “No, you’re still a healthy, functioning, alcoholic. It’s me. But, I can explain everything. You just have to promise that you’ll keep this quiet, I shouldn’t even be here as it is, but I had to know that you were okay, I saw what happened with Donnie and- can I come in?”

Alison opened the door more to allow Beth room to enter. “Of course you can come in. You are always welcome here.” She allowed her gaze to follow after Beth as she walked past. A smile grew on her face as the joy spread threw her body. She had missed having Beth around so much. “We have a lot of talking to do, but I don’t want any of it to be about Donnie. Not today.” She shut the door and began walking to the kitchen. “I’ll meet you downstairs, I am just going to grab us a drink.” A few minutes later she entered the downstairs room with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. She sat on the couch next to Beth. She stared at Beth with a bit of disbelief still. “I hate to admit that the happiness of seeing your face, even if I see it every day in the mirror, out weighs how upset you’ve made me.” She took a big drink. “Okay, I’m ready.” She looked at Beth with desperation for an explanation, because Beth owed her that.

Cosima flashed her a bright smile, the ones that she reserved for her family only. It was filled with happiness and love. “Yes, ma’am..” She saluted her sister with a light giggle. 

Alison smiled back. “I get it, okay, I’m weird.” She laughed as she picked up the tray. “Shall we take them to the people now? Or will they ruin my reputation?” She smiled at Cosima.

Delphine nodded as she listened. She had some ideas and she was sure it could be very stressful. Especially with babies, they needed constant watch and she was already panicking that she would mess up by looking away for just a second. “I have no doubt about that.. the constant worry. But.. I believe you, when you say it will be worth it. I see Cosima with her nieces and nephew.. that is what I want to come home to. To her and our child.”

Alison smiled. “Cosima is very good with the kids, I’ve noticed. She always keeps them smiling. And she always manages to teach them something in an interesting way.” She looked toward the door. “Cosima also has a way of taking her time.” She looked down at her watch. “The kids are with my mother and they have soccer soon. So, hopefully Cosima shows up soon.”

Cosima could feel Alison stiffen a little and slowly moved back,hands moving to rest against her sister’s upper arms. “I know,” she said, smiling at her. Stepping back some more she laughed at herself. “Do you some times still think: holy shit, clones? I’m still, like, processing it.” Out of all of the clones, she felt like she had taken the idea of clones the easiest. It just endlessly fascinated her. That didn’t mean she still didn’t think it was completely strange to see her face on an entirely different body. With a completely different personality to boot.

Alison’s brow furrowed for a moment and then she smiled. “Well, you know, every time I look at Helena I think ‘Holy fishticks, my drinking has gone way out of hand.’ But then I remember that she is my clone and not a mirror.” She laughed. “We will always be processing it I believe. Especially those of us who aren’t science geeks.” She joked.

“Oh.. yes, I suppose that is true. I, have not been involved much with children and through my studies..” She trailed off, the woman obviously didn’t need to hear any horror stories and allow her to panic. “Yes, I do.. I hope one day, to start a family with Cosima.” Even if it scared her, that she would be a bad mother, she wanted a family with her. 

Alison nodded. “When you have children you will have so many health scares with your children that you begin to feel afraid on the days they don’t get a bump or bruise.” She laughed. “Children can be very nerve-wrecking. But every second of worry is worth it.” She said reassuringly.

Alison let Cosima embrace her with a hug, even thought she wasn’t accustomed to hugs. “We should be thanking you, Cosima.” She understood the pressure as well as the lack of support Cosima might have been experiencing. She spoke softly into Cosima’s ear as they hugged. “You’ll never disappoint me or our sisters.”