Chapter Text
“What’re you working on?” Daisy asks, sauntering into the SHIELD science labs and peering at what Jemma is working on.
“Oh!” Jemma says, so focused on her work that she couldn’t hear Daisy enter. “Believe it or not, we have a new 0-8-4 in.”
“Wow, that’s a throwback,” Daisy says dryly.
Daisy leans in a bit closer, though taking care not to get too close – she doesn’t know how dangerous this thing can be, though Jemma doesn’t seem to be too concerned. Whatever this new 0-8-4 is, it at least looks harmless, though they both know by now that appearances can be deceiving. The 0-8-4 is a small, black cube, so dark in color it seems to be sucking in all of the light around it.
“I know, I can hardly remember the time when these were our biggest concern,” Jemma says, as she checks a data readout on a nearby screen.
“I kind of miss those days,” Daisy says. “Before we started having to deal with virtual realities and aliens. And flaming muscle cars. And killer robots. And…”
“Yes, I completely agree,” Jemma says, cutting Daisy off. “We’ll, if you’d care to join me, we can relive those good old days.”
“What do you think it is?” Daisy asks.
“I’m not entirely sure, but it’s a piece of technology of almost certainly extraordinary origins,” Jemma says. “It’s almost as advanced as Asgardian tech.”
“Wow,” Daisy says. “But what is it, exactly?”
“Well, that’s what we’re about to find out,” Jemma says.
She hits a button on the device that’s containing the 0-8-4. A surge of electricity goes through the strange cube, and Daisy flinches out of reflex. It takes her a few moments for her to stop holding her breath and simply exhale. A few more moments pass, and nothing happens. Jemma frowns.
“Perhaps I need to rethink my…”
She’s cut off by a blinding flash of light, originating from the 0-8-4. Daisy shields her eyes as the whole world turns white around her…
Slowly, Daisy lowers her arms as she realizes the light is gone. As she blinks a few times, though, she realizes the entire lab is gone. The whole SHIELD base is gone. It’s just her and Jemma, standing in the middle of the sidewalk on a completely innocuous city block.
“What the…” Daisy says, spinning around to take in the strangely ordinary view around her.
“Where are we?” Jemma asks.
Daisy squints, deep in thought.
“Or…when are we?” Daisy asks, a knowing look on her face.
She locks eyes with Jemma, who mulls over her words.
“Nope, same time period,” Jemma says. “That’s a current smartphone design, and that model sedan was released just this year.”
Jemma points out the evidence as to when they are, and Daisy’s face falls.
“Damn it,” Daisy says. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”
Jemma just chuckles and shakes her head.
“Seriously, though, what happened to us?” Daisy asks.
“I’m not entirely sure,” Jemma says. “We may not have been displaced in time, but we may have simply been – displaced.”
“You think the 0-8-4 just, like, moved us somewhere else?” Daisy asks.
“Perhaps,” Jemma says. “Perhaps we’re…no…”
Jemma stares off into the distance, deep in though. Daisy furrows her brow.
“What is it?” Daisy asks. “Did you figure out where we are?”
Jemma frowns.
“The 0-8-4 has certain molecular properties that make it, in a word, impossible,” Jemma says.
“Impossible?” Daisy asks. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Many things about it – its mass, its composition – simply shouldn’t work under the laws of physics and chemistry,” Jemma says. “It’s as if it derives the energy it need to keep its shape from an extradimensional source.”
“What does that mean for us?” Daisy asks. “And where we are now?”
“It’s out-there, I know, but I think we haven’t exactly moved through time and space so much as we have been shifted to another dimension,” Jemma says. “Do you understand?”
Daisy rubs the back of her neck.
“Sure, why not,” Daisy says. “Crazier things have happened to us.”
“I’m glad you’re taking this so well,” Jemma says. “Well, we should establish what this universe is like…”
Jemma manages to take two steps forward before there’s a loud rumble from behind them. They both turn to look just as an all-encompassing, bright light flashes just above the city street. Instinctively, they shield their eyes, and as the light fades, a looming, monstrous figure comes into view. It looks like…
“Okay, that’s a straight-up dinosaur,” Daisy says flatly. “Right?”
“Not any species that I recognize,” Jemma says. “Some sort of crazy inhuman? Or alien? Honestly, is anything out of the question at this point?”
“Not really,” Daisy says, dropping into a fighting stance.
All around them, people are running and screaming, desperately trying to get away from the (let’s say) dinosaur that’s just appeared on the road. Cars honk and tires screech, and Daisy and Jemma do their best to not get hit by any of the vehicles now hurtling down the street. The dinosaur roars, a bellowing, unearthly sound, and Daisy’s stance falters.
“Uh, I should fight that thing, I guess?” Daisy asks. “Is that insane?”
“Morally, I think you have to,” Jemma says. “As your best friend, though, I’d advise at least some caution.”
“Okay, great,” Daisy says, clenching her fists more tightly and attempting to pump herself up. “Great. This is going to be great. Fighting a dinosaur. Totally within the realm of my abilities.”
The street has cleared completely, leaving just the dinosaur and Daisy, who boldly steps out to face it. She kneels down and places her palm against the hot asphalt, sensing the vibrations of the world around her. She can feel everything – the asphalt, the soil and rock beneath that, the concrete, brick, and wood of the buildings around her, and the beast, of course, which is taking thunderous steps towards her.
Daisy lifts her palm up off the ground, balls her hand into a fist, and brings it slamming downward. Vibrational energy surges through the street and erupts right where the monster is standing, sending chunks of the street flying up at it. It roars in pain and confusion, stumbling backwards, its weighty body nearly slamming into a nearby building. Daisy, wanting to press what small advantage she just opened up, marches forward, sending blast after blast of energy at the monster. It roars in pain, but it doesn’t seem to be seriously hurt.
“Okay, you’re doing great, Daisy,” she says to herself. “If it’s focusing on you, it can’t – I guess – eat anybody. Which is what giant dinosaur-looking monsters do, I imagine.”
The monster roars and begins charging at Daisy.
“Oh boy,” Daisy says. “Great plan, Daisy. Real smart.”
Daisy sends blast after blast of energy at the monster, but they barely seem to slow it down. The beast’s gaping maw is about to descend upon Daisy when there’s a sound like thunder, off in the distance. Daisy curls into herself, anticipating the beast’s horrifyingly massive teeth, but they don’t come. When she finally looks up, she sees that the beast has been subdued – it’s now lying on its side. What’s even more amazing is that there’s a woman, a striking woman, with golden hair and blue eyes, standing atop the monster.
“Thanks for the assist,” Daisy says.
The woman smiles and nods at her, before gently floating off the monster and landing just in front of Daisy. Out of everything, that almost impresses her the most.
“Of course. Now, I have to ask who you are,” Kara says. “I can’t help but assume that we’re on the same side, given what just happened, but you did appear out of a similar flash of light as that creature did. So – who are you? And where did you come from?”
“I…” Daisy starts, but is cut off by the sound of footfalls behind her.
“Daisy, you’re okay!” Jemma says, running to her side, before turning to look at Kara. “Who’s this?”
“Okay, who are both of you?” Kara asks. “I don’t mean to press, but I’d like some answers.”
Daisy and Jemma exchange a glance.
“Well, I suppose there’s no problem in revealing who we are,” Jemma says. “My name is Jemma Simmons, and this is Daisy Johnson. We mean you no harm; we simply want to return home.”
“Home?” Kara asks. “Where’s home?”
“Not here,” Daisy sighs.
They’re interrupted once again by black SUVs pulling up around them. Out of the lead vehicle steps Alex Danvers, in full combat regalia. Alex immediately locks eyes with Daisy, who, if she were of lesser conviction, might feel intimidated under such a gaze. She raises her sidearm, training it on Daisy.
“Hands up, both of you,” Alex barks out. “We’re taking you in.”
“Okay, hold on,” Kara says. “She helped me fight the…whatever that was. I think they’re on our side, Alex.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Alex says. “They materialized out of nowhere. We have to at least bring them in for questioning.”
“Look, we don’t want any trouble,” Daisy says. “We don’t even know where the hell we are.”
“We’ll go with you,” Jemma says. “If we have some assurances.”
Alex folds her arms across her chest and tries to stare Jemma down, who simply stares back, even more defiant than Daisy. Alex can’t help but wonder who these two women are, so filled with spirit and fight.
“What assurances?” Alex asks.
“Alex, I hear a couple news vans and a helicopter incoming,” Kara whispers in her ear. “A well as a fleet of cop cars. We have to get out of here.”
“What assurances do you want?” Alex asks again.
“We want to be let go after you’re done questioning us,” Jemma says. “And at no point will we be handcuffed, blindfolded, or otherwise subdued. And that you’ll answer our questions, too.”
“What makes you think I’ll agree to any of these demands?” Alex asks.
The thrumming of a helicopter’s rotors picks up in the distance. Kara glances at Alex, concern on her face.
“Because you’re running out of time,” Daisy says. “And you need us more than we need you.”
“Fine, come with us,” Alex says. “All of you, in my vehicle. I’m keeping my eye on the both of you.”
“Thank you,” Jemma says, smiling mirthlessly at her.
They drive quickly to the downtown DEO headquarters. Though it makes Alex supremely uncomfortable, Daisy and Jemma remain unrestrained, and they take in the city blocks that pass by their windows.
Kara keeps a hand on Daisy and Jemma’s upper arms as Alex swiftly leads them to an interrogation room. A few of her fellow agents look curiously at them, wondering who these strange prisoners are who seem to be breaking all rules of protocol, but nobody stops to question them directly. Though they’re walking quickly, Daisy and Jemma make sure to take in as much of their surroundings as possible.
Finally, they make their way to an empty interrogation room. Alex locks the door behind them and Kara stands in front of it, arms crossed.
“Okay, who are you two?” Alex asks.
“I’m Jemma Simmons.”
“And I’m Daisy Johnson. We’re both Agents of SHIELD.”
“SHIELD?” Alex asks. “I don’t recognize that organization.”
“Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division,” Jemma says.
“Never heard of it. That’s a hell of a name, though,” Alex says. “Sounds like someone just really wanted to make it spell out ‘SHIELD.’”
“She’s not wrong,” Daisy comments to Jemma.
“Okay, what is SHIELD, and why do you claim to be a part of it?” Alex asks.
“SHIELD, simply put, is an intelligence agency that deals with threats of a more, well, extreme nature,” Jemma says. “We deal with aliens, inhumans, supernatural beings, ancient artifacts, and more.”
“We claim to be a part of it because we are,” Daisy says.
“It must not exist in this universe,” Jemma says, mostly to Daisy. “I wonder what else is different.”
“Excuse me, did you just say, ‘this universe?’” Alex asks. “Where did you come from?”
Kara leans forward, about to say something, but Alex silences her with a gesture. She leans back against the door.
“Well, I’m not sure how to fully answer that,” Jemma says. “It turns out the multiverse theory is completely true, and that we’ve come from a universe that does have SHIELD.”
Alex rubs the bridge of her nose. This is not how she thought her day was going to go.
“Any more brilliant questions?” Daisy asks.
“Yes,” Alex says. “What was that thing?”
“What, the freaking dinosaur?” Daisy asks. “Beats me. That thing almost ate me. You can’t possibly think we brought that with us.”
“You could have by accident,” Alex says. “Or whatever energy brought you here brought that thing as well.”
Daisy laughs humorlessly.
“Wait, are we being detained for possibly bringing a monster from another dimension to your doorstop?” Daisy asks. “I just want to make sure that law enforcement in this universe is as bad as it is in ours.”
Alex glares at her, which Daisy remains completely resistant to.
“Could we ask you some questions?” Jemma asks.
Alex sighs and throws her hands up in the air.
“Sure, why not?” Alex asks. “Nothing else about this day has made any sense.”
“Wonderful,” Jemma says. “Who do you work for?”
“You can’t possibly imagine I’m going to answer that,” Alex says.
Jemma just shrugs, unphased.
“Worth a shot,” Jemma says.
“I have one,” Daisy says, before pointing at Kara. “Who is she? And why can she fly?”
“Well, I mean…” Kara says, puffing her chest out slightly and standing a little straighter. “I’m Supergirl.”
There’s silence for a beat as Daisy and Jemma glance at one another, and Kara deflates.
“There’s no Supergirl at all in your universe, huh?” Kara asks.
Both Daisy and Jemma shake their heads. Kara sighs and hangs her head.
“Is that what the ‘s’ stands for?” Jemma asks, pointing at Kara’s chest. “Supergirl?’
“No,” Kara says, smiling and shaking her head. “No, the ‘s’ stands for…”
“We don’t need to get into that right now,” Alex says.
Kara grumbles, but doesn’t continue her sentence. Daisy just furrows her brow, confused.
“So, you do have, ah, ‘enhanced’ people in this universe,” Jemma says. “Are you inhuman?”
“Inhuman?” Kara asks, crinkling her nose. “No. I’m an alien.”
“Oh, huh,” Jemma says. “Not Asgardian, I imagine?”
“No, not Asgardian. Kryptonian,” Kara says proudly.
“Are we just going to tell these people all of your secrets?” Alex asks. “Want to tell them where you work and what your social security number is at the same time?”
Kara deflates slightly, but still looks happy to have corrected Jemma.
“Do you have people with powers where you’re from?” Alex asks. “People like Supergirl?”
“Not exactly,” Daisy says. “There is this guy named Thor, though, who has long, blonde hair and is super strong and can fly.”
Alex and Kara share a look, confused.
“He has a magic hammer?” Daisy offers.
“Sounds inappropriate,” Kara murmurs, and Alex almost laughs at that.
“Guess there’s no Thor here,” Daisy says.
“Okay, we’re getting sidetracked,” Alex says. “Do you know why you’re here? In this universe?”
“No,” Jemma says. “I imagine it has to do with the artifact I was handling in my lab, but I don’t know by what mechanism it sent us here.”
“So, we’re stuck here, for the foreseeable future,” Daisy says. “We’re serious when we say we don’t want to cause any trouble. We just want to get back home.”
Alex opens her mouth, about to say something, but Kara cuts her off.
“You know, I might be able to help with that,” Kara says.
Kara and Alex leave the two agents of SHIELD in the interrogation room as they have a quick sidebar.
“You can contact him, right?” Alex asks. “Out of all our friends, he probably has the most experience with interdimensional travel.”
“I can,” Kara says. “The problem is that we don’t know what universe they’re from. We’d need to figure that out before anything else.”
“Look, just call Barry and ask him if he can help,” Alex says. “I know you think they’re trustworthy, but I’d rather not have to deal with people from an unknown universe more than I have to.”
“Fine, fine,” Kara says. “Just let me get my communicator and I’ll give him a call.”
Kara quickly finds her interdimensional communicator and tries to contact Barry. She’s greeted by a droning wall of static. Kara looks at the communicator, brow furrowed, and tries again. Still – static, loud and overwhelming. She hits the device a couple of times to no avail. Static, again. Kara groans and returns to Alex.
“Nothing?” Alex asks.
“Nothing,” Kara says. “Winn is taking a look at the device, and Lena’s going to give it a go when she’s done with work, but that option is a dead-end for the time being.”
“Great,” Alex says. “What are we going to do with our two interdimensional exiles now?”
The two of them fall silent in thought for a moment.
“I have an idea,” Kara says. “Nobody is going to like it, though.”
“Wonderful,” Alex says. “Way to sell it, Kara.”
Alex and Kara return to the interrogation room, where Daisy had been amusing herself by making the table shake with her powers. She stops when the enter, though.
“Hey, there you are. Are you guys going, to, I don’t know, take us out back and shoot us?” Daisy asks. “That sounds like the black ops sort of thing to do.”
“We’re not going to shoot you,” Alex says. “Though the thought had crossed my mind.”
Daisy smiles sweetly at her.
“As we work on a solution to get you back to your universe, we’ve found a place to house you for the time being,” Kara says. “An associate of ours has offered an apartment where you can stay while we figure this out.”
"You're helping us, now?" Daisy asks.
"Her idea, not mine," Alex says.
"Why?" Jemma asks.
"Because, you seem like good people," Kara says. "And I'd hate to be lost in a whole new universe."
"We're trained spies," Daisy says. "We could make it on our own."
"Really?" Alex asks. "With however much money you happen to have on you and in a city you've never seen before?"
"There's nothing wrong with accepting a little help," Kara says.
Daisy sighs and looks over at Jemma.
“You know, that’s really generous of you, actually,” Jemma says, surprise seeping into her voice. “Thank you. We'll need all the help we can get."
Before they head to the “associate’s apartment,” Kara changes back into her street clothes in order to not rouse any suspicion. Daisy hums when she sees her.
“What?” Kara asks.
“Nothing,” Daisy says. “You just look very…ordinary like this.”
“Thanks, I think,” Kara says, eyeing her curiously.
“Also, do you have a name?” Daisy asks. “I don’t really want to call you Supergirl, like, casually.”
Kara smiles and introduces herself to Daisy and Jemma, though she only reveals her first name. Though she already trusts them, perhaps more than she should, she knows she should take some precautions with her identity.
“Can I ask you a question, Daisy?” Kara asks. “Your powers – where do they come from?”
“That’s complicated, actually,” Daisy says. “Basically, it has to do with certain modified genes that I have, of alien origin. I guess you could say I’m part alien, in a way.”
“Cool,” Kara says.
“God damn, who’s your friend?” Daisy asks. “Does he own National City?”
Kara chuckles. She, along with Daisy and Jemma, have just arrived at one of Lena’s incredible penthouse apartments – one of many she has around the city – located in a beautiful, luxurious beachfront building. The views of the ocean are incredible, thanks to the numerous floor-to-ceiling windows that look out in every direction. The décor is plain and modern, all clean lines and neutral colors.
“She, actually,” Kara says. “And she basically does.”
Daisy whistles in appreciation.
“There’s a guest bedroom down this hallway where you two can stay,” Kara says. “Here, follow me.”
The guest bedroom in question is larger than any either Daisy or Jemma have ever had the pleasure of sleeping in, completely with more wonderful views of the ocean, a king-sized bed, a fully stocked closet, and an attached bathroom. The comforter on the bed is fluffy and white, like a cloud, and the urge to dive into it, face-first, strikes Daisy.
“Can we get sent to new universes all the time?” Daisy asks.
“I’m beginning to wonder why we haven’t done this sooner myself,” Jemma says.
Kara just chuckles.
“Make yourselves at home, guys,” Kara says. “Universe-hopping is no fun, so just get settled and we’ll figure this thing out, huh?”
Jemma wants to ask what experience Kara has with ‘universe-hopping,’ but the sound of the door creaking open distracts all three of them.
“Oh, that must be her,” Kara says. “I haven’t 100% explained the situation yet, so you guys just sit tight and I’ll get it all sorted out.”
With that, Kara rushes off to greet whoever just walked in through the door. Neither Daisy nor Jemma know if they should be concerned or comforted by how casual Kara is being about all of this.
“We’re not, like, squatting here, are we?” Daisy asks. “Not that I don’t have experience with that, but still.”
“I certainly hope we aren’t,” Jemma says. “You only get one chance to make a good impression in a new universe.”
A few moments later, Kara walks back in with the mystery woman in tow. She’s quite striking, between her raven-black hair and her delicately pale, green eyes. Both Daisy and Jemma would be lying if they said that they weren’t immediately at least a little taken by her.
“So, Lena, these are my friends,” Kara says. “They’re my friends from…not around here.”
“Certainly,” Lena says, clearly suspicious of them. “What were your names again?”
“She’s Jemma Simmons,” Daisy says. “I’m Daisy Johnson.”
“Of course,” Lena says. “And where exactly is ‘not around here?’”
Daisy and Jemma look at one another.
“I was in Los Angeles not too long ago,” Daisy says.
“And I’ve been…around,” Jemma says.
Daisy glares at her, and Jemma just shrugs.
“Kara, what’s going on?” Lena asks.
Kara just rubs the back of her neck as she mumbles something incomprehensibly.
“Look, we’re terribly sorry about this,” Jemma says. “We just need a place to stay for a few nights at most.”
“Are you two in trouble?” Lena asks.
Daisy and Jemma once again share a look, trying to silently communicate with one another.
“That’s certainly one way to put it,” Daisy says.
Lena sighs, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment.
“If you two are going to be staying in one of my properties, you’re going to need to explain yourself better than that,” Lena says. “Kara is vouching for the both of you, which means a lot to me, but I just need to know more about this entire situation.”
“Guys, you can just tell her,” Kara says. “I trust her.”
“Wonderful,” Jemma says, clapping her hands together. “Well, we’re from another universe, having been transported here by an artifact of likely alien origin. We’re stranded here until we can figure out how to, you know, hop between universes. Simple, right?”
Lena almost reacts to that, but instead her lips curl into a slight smile.
“Kara, you have such interesting friends,” Lena says.