| Code Name: Shadow | (DC's Legends of Tomorrow)

19: The Confession

"We just have to acquire the tech from Rip and co. to fix up Gideon, and fix up the engine. Stein? Jax? How is that coming over there?" Ray asked. Meg took a seat, rubbing the back of her neck with a clammy hand. She let out a sigh heavy with fatigue- wanting nothing more than a few hours of sleep once the rest of the team returned and the ship was fixed.

"It's going well. Just another hour at most and she's ready to go." Jax said.

"I think we are almost done- what do you say, Ray?" Meg asked the ATOM.

"Actually, we need to adjust the settings on the temporal monitor, and then realign the adjust on the ion stabilizer so none of the photons will overreact." Ray explained. Kendra and Margaret exchanged a look, unsure of what he just said.

"I don't know about you, Ray, but Meg and I speak English." Kendra rose a brow. Even though Kendra was the only one who could see her, Meg nodded her head (and immediately felt stupid afterwards).

"Agreed." Was the red head's response.

"I'll be right there." Said the billionaire.

Meg turned off her mic and set her earpiece on the table. Her hair fell into her face- which made the drowsy Meg let out an irritated sigh. Quickly she tossed it up into a messy ponytail, tucking the loose strands behind her ears.

Sooner than later, Ray strolled into the room, his thumb pointed to the general direction behind him.

"Kendra- Stein needs you to help Jax with the engine." He explained. Kendra nodded her head, giving Meg a small smile before she exited the room.

Recollecting the conversation she had with Kendra just a few minutes before, Meg thought about what she had said. What would someone like Ray care for someone like her? And why did everyone seem to notice it but her? Snart had pointed it out that night in Soviet Russia. She shook her head to herself, resting her head in her palms. Meg needed to not bring herself to confusing and almost depressing thoughts in her free time. She was really going to screw herself up.

Her green gaze came back up from the floor as Meg shook her head again to clear her thoughts. She wearily got up, a protective hand hugged her torso as a throb of pain filled her insides. After steadying herself, Meg walked over to a nearby table where Ray was fiddling with a few pieces of tech that were completely foreign to her. He was so concentrated his eyes barely blinked.

"If you don't feel like finishing this now, I think I know where Rip keeps the alcohol." He said, looking up to meet Meg's eyes. Her eyebrows furrowed together, trying to deduce what the billionaire was getting at.

"Alcohol?" Meg blurted out, her cheeks growing hot from what she just said. She probably sounded like a total idiot. Mentally, Meg cursed herself with a few very carefully chosen words.

"If you wanna grab a drink, then yes. Alcohol." He replied, shrugging his shoulders. Meg gulped, scratching the back of her head. Was he asking her on a date?

Truth be told, Margaret had never been on an actual date. Or even had her first kiss. Sure, she did have feelings for people... but she never had the courage to go on an actual date or make the first move.

"Are... Are you asking me on a date?" Meg asked, her face flushing red as she twiddled her thumbs nervously.

"If you're okay with it, then yes, I am." Ray smiled. Meg gave him back a smile, her brows furrowed together.

Even though Meg rarely drank (it upset her narcolepsy), she was really tempted to take the offer. In fact... she was going to take the offer until something pulled her back in her mind.

"Ray, I... I don't think I can. I want to... I like you... I really do-"

"Then why say no?"

Ray made an extremely valid point. Meg was tempted to just say 'screw it' and go with it... but something was holding her back. She just couldn't do it.

"You don't want to date someone like me, Ray." Meg started, "I have no control over my life- and that's really frustrating. During my blackouts... I could end up hurting people I care about or put their lives in danger because of a weird connection of some sort. I don't want to lose you Ray, trust me. I don't want to jeopardize your life because of me, or become a huge burden because of my condition." Meg explained, blinking back the tears as her gaze was fixed on the ground. She literally just confessed her feelings for Ray that she didn't even know she had. Meg felt awful for declining the date with Ray... but perhaps it was for the best.

Ray stared at Meg, his big eyes searching hers. As she bit her lip, her green eyes trailed down to her feet, feeling ashamed to even look at Ray. But instead of acting hurt or upset, he put a hand on Meg's shoulder and gently lifted up her head by putting his thumb under her chin.

"Meg, it's okay. You aren't a burden to anyone. Your condition does not make you a bother, it's part of who you are. And I'm not scared of you hurting me, because I know you never will, Meg. You have control over yourself. There are so many resources here on this ship that can help you, and I am willing to be a part of that help." Ray explained to Margaret.

"It's not just that, Ray. We're on this mission, and Savage seems to have some sort of weird connection with me. He knows where I work, my name, where I live... he's so dangerous Ray, and I don't want you to get hurt because of that. What would Oliver and your friends think? They need you just as much as this team does." Meg said softly, trying to keep her voice as even as possible. She felt horribly for not accepting the offer, and wanted more than anything to go on that date... but if Ray had the possibility of getting hurt it didn't matter how much Meg liked or cared for him.

Ray gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze, nodding his head with that same cheery smile.

"I understand your concerns, Meg. But what's taking a risk without a little danger? Even if it's for good." Ray said, "Now... we should get back to fixing the Waverider before Rip and the rest of the team get back."

His tone was gentle and forgiving. And when the two of them got up to continue working, he resumed conversation by cracking jokes and doing his best to make Meg smile. He made her feel like whatever just happened... didn't happen.

And she thought the world of him for that.