Chapter Text
Nora Darhk sat in her Time Bureau containment cell. It was almost time for dinner, and she was wondering what it would be today. Nora had been in the cell for about 10 days, and she had observed that they rotated between three dinners—Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese with a side of broccoli, and chicken nuggets with French fries. The macaroni was her favorite, and it was due today, but dinner was running a little late.
Despite being in prison, despite facing a life sentence or, potentially, even a lethal injection, Nora was calm. She wasn’t sure why. She hadn’t felt this way since… well, in years. Since before Mallus, even. The past few months hiding from the Bureau, she had constantly been living with the fear of being recaptured, but now that the fear had come true, she was at peace with it. Maybe it was because she at least had certainty now? No, that couldn’t be it. Maybe because she had chosen this for herself. When she turned herself in, she did it to reclaim control over her life, even if it meant being in prison. If she had stayed on the run, she would have always had that fear chasing her, never being able to escape it. By turning herself in, Nora ensured that whatever happened to her, it would happen because she chose it, because she allowed it. Nora looked at the clock in her cell again. When is dinner getting here, anyway?
Just then, a bespectacled agent Nora recognized walked up, holding a brown paper bag. What’s his name again? The agent smiled as he approached the cell.
“Figured I’d get you something better than the usual,” said the agent with a dopey grin, “since your trial is coming up and all.” He passed the bag through the food receptacle.
Nora reached inside and couldn’t hold in a chuckle. “Tacos,” she said, grinning. “Thanks.”
“Oh, you’re welcome,” said the agent. “This place is my favorite. Agent Wu used to always deliver these to the office, back before she worked here.”
“I appreciate it,” said Nora. “What’s your name again?”
“Gary,” he replied. “Well, I guess I should technically introduce myself as Agent Green, but, you know, Director Sharpe’s not here to get mad at me over protocol.”
“Nice to meet you, Gary,” said Nora. “I suppose you all know my name at this point.”
“Oh yeah,” said Gary, with no trace of malice or sarcasm, “you’re a big deal here. The group chat went nuts when you showed up.”
“You all have a group chat?” said Nora, chuckling again.
“Of course!” said Gary. “It’s how we disseminate important memos, and field strategies, and... catering plans, and Beebo memes.”
“Wow,” said Nora. “You know, I used to have a Beebo when I was little. My dad got it for me, the last Christmas we spent together… the last one before he died the first time, you know.”
“Oh,” said Gary, not knowing how to respond, before a light suddenly entered his eyes as his smile returned. “You’ll wanna see this, then.” He knelt and pulled up his pant leg, revealing a ridiculous Beebo sock.
Nora burst out giggling. “That’s terrible!” she said through a mouthful of taco.
“Constantine loved it when I showed him,” said Gary. “Do you know Constantine?”
“Rude, English, well-dressed?” said Nora. “Yeah, we’ve met.”
“We dated for a little while,” said Gary. “He broke it off. How do you know him?”
“I used magic to save his life,” said Nora. “That was when I decided to turn myself in. I liked having saved someone. I wanted to stop being the bad guy.”
“Is it true that Ray gave you the time stone?” said Gary. “Gotta admit, I don’t know Ray all that well, but that was a surprise coming from him.”
“Ray is… Ray is weird,” said Nora, looking at the floor. “I don’t know what he sees in me, but he sees something, and I don’t know if it’s really there.”
“Well,” said Gary, “you saved John. So he must have been at least a little right.”
“Bold words, coming from one of my jailers,” said Nora with a sly grin. “I don’t suppose you’d be dumb enough to let the charming prisoner out?”
“I don’t even have the code,” said Gary, chuckling. “Director Sharpe made sure no one could let prisoners out without permission from the top, since apparently Captain Lance has run into that problem a bunch.”
“It was worth a shot,” said Nora. “Thanks for the tacos, Gary.”
“You’re welcome, Nora.”