For Want of Peace and Quiet
Deanlu
Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. After All, what better way to show the love for hero's than to extend their adventures. In this story Lucy has returned to assist with the World Killers. Lena is aware Kara and Supergirl is one in the same. Lena is working with the DEO. Also Alex and Lena both suspect that Sam is one of the World Killers.
She should have known. After all things had been doubly difficult lately. What with Mon-El and Imhra still present in her daily life. Now Alex, Lena, and Sam seemed to be keeping secrets from her. Their whispered conversations during game nights that stopped whenever she came into the room were beginning to grate on her greatly. Winn and James seemed preoccupied by something major lately. Even their nervous glances couldn't be ignored. J'onn had been keeping his own counsel on the World Killers. Cat had been unavailable not returning calls or her texts. This had shaken the young reporter more than anything considering that she depended on Cat's love and insightful advice. No, something was going on that no one wanted her to know. Kara was sure about that. She wasn't sure why she was suddenly on the outside of the family, but she definitely was on the outside. She contemplated the horizon as she hung suspended in the air.
Her foster mother's words came ringing back to her on her visit with Alex a few months ago.
"You look lost and tired." Eliza had stated softly wrapping her foster daughter in a warm hug.
"I need a break I think, but I don't want to abandon Alex right now." Kara had confided while her head rested on Eliza's shoulder. "I talked with Bruce lately. He gave me some I made some inquiries. I just don't know if I should go right now."
"Kara, I can't tell you what to do. All I can tell you is you carry a great deal of responsibility on your shoulders. You need to take breaks from who Supergirl is and who Kara is. You need to spend time as Kara Zor-El. Just time to pull all these parts together." Eliza said as she ran her hands up and down Kara's arm. "The pressure is affecting your powers. I'm not sure even Alex has noticed. You are trying to be too many things to too many people. You have forgotten who you are and what you want to stand for in the end." Kara contemplated the sunset and Eliza's words. She knew the elder Danvers was right.
"Things are so confusing and hard right now." The young Danver's voice whispered. "Losing Mon-El hurts so deep, but having him come back married Eliza...that kills. Plus all these feelings for Cat are still tearing me apart. I know she left to dive, but I think she was really running. I just, I want what you and Jeremiah had. I just don't think its in the cards anymore." Eliza squeezed her daughter tightly. She knew when Kara was placed in their charge she would probably not have a chance to feel love for life. Eliza wanted it for the young Kryptonian. It would take a special person.
"Kara, it will happen in time. Let it go for now. You need rest and heal right now. Take a break. You are your own person and sometimes people need alone time to refocus." Eliza said softly hugging her daughter once more as Kara stared off into the horizon. Eliza suddenly had an idea to help Kara. Something that would keep her safe and give her the time she needed, "Banzan, would welcome you to his monastery. He has made some inquiries about you since last time he was here. Since he knows your secret you would be safe. It's high in the Tibetan mountains which would help recharge your Kryptonian cells. He could also spend time helping you train. Something which you remind me all the time you need more practice. He could also help you focus your thoughts more and narrow your concentration." Eliza responded quickly looking toward the door of the house where she could hear Alex's movement. "Think about it. I will notify him of your thoughts." Kara looked up at her mother and nodded as Alex came to the porch. Supergirl came back to herself in that moment knowing what she had to do now.
"Supergirl? Everything okay?" Alex's steady, but worried voice came through her for a moment Kara contemplated not answering. Just letting the questions fall into empty expanse. She knew, however, there would be hell to pay if she didn't answer. She knew she had been hanging for well over forty minutes in the same place just listening.
"Everything is fine Agent Danvers. I'll be going off grid for a while. I'll check in with the DEO in a couple days. I have something I need to do." Kara had decided that if her friends were going to keep secrets then she needed to take a break away from National City. It was obvious she wasn't needed nor wanted to assist. She quickly sent notice by phone to HR at the DEO and CATCO that she would be gone for a few days. She texted Snapper on the low she would bring back a story he had suggested. Her announcement caused a flurry of activity on the other side of the comms.
"Supergirl, that is not acceptable. You are needed here right now. With the World Killers creating havoc now is not the time to go off grid." Alex responded nervous worry and anger coming could hear commands being given to locate Supergirl in the background. Vasquez's voice announced that HR had just notified them off Supergirls vacation time.
"I'm sorry Alex, but this is not open for debate. I'll be back in a few days. You all seem to have things handled. Anyway, you have the League to cover for me. There's no need for me to be around." Kara responded shutting down her phone so it couldn't be tracked. Just to make sure she would leave it at the holding point she had established. The last thing she needed to do was the tracker on her cape that Winn thought she didn't know anything about.
"Kara, listen to me. You don't know what you are doing. We all need you. You need to report back to the DEO. That's an order." Alex's voice came through firmly. Winn's voice interrupted suddenly. She heard J'onn in the background ordering satellites to be shifted to where Supergirl was located. Kara was already moving disconnecting her comms.
"Supergirl, your location tracker has gone offline. Kara, where are you located?" Winn looked toward Mon-El shaking his head. Mon-El; moved toward the balcony doors to head toward Kara's last known location. Kara was already gone though. She was half way around the world. She had stopped in Hong Kong to grab the pack she had left there months ago. She stashed her phone and comms. Her foster mother's words rang in her ears about taking care of herself. When was the last time she had done that?
"Never." The words slipped from her was always hiding, helping others and subverting her needs. She landed about a mile from where she was going. She changed into a set of white cotton pants and a peach cotton top that gave her room to move. Her white hiking shoes were uniquely made to allow for free movement and gripping on the the trails around her. She made her way quickly to the monastery ahead. She was greeted at the doorway by a young monk.
"Welcome Supergirl. All has been prepared." The young monk said softly. Kara had made good time to the Monastery. "The master has been waiting for you." Kara was not surprised at his recognition. She figured Eliza mad sure to warn Banzan of her intended arrival. Eliza knew the last few weeks had become harder. Especially after her defeat at Reign's hands.
"Thank you. Please just call me Kara. Kara-Zor-El." Kara replied softly bowing to the young monk. She was led through the thick doors of the monastery across a large courtyard. Several monks lingered around talking. Kara was led through another set of doors to a beautiful inner garden. Then into the main building that was centered between the drum tower on the left and the bell tower on the right. Kara was taken to a room where a tall, thin man, hair shaved clean, and grey eyes that twinkled with humor and wisdom stared back at her. His skin was wrinkled with age, but also muscled from daily workouts she supposed. His maroon robes with blue piping brought an air of dignity and respect. Altogether he was not one to be taken for granted.
"Kara Zor-El, it is good to see you once again. It has been many years since last I saw Sol's light." Banyan responded taking her hands and touching his forehead to them. Kara smiled feeling some tension release from her shoulders.
"Banyan, it's been many years. I have not forgotten your visits to our home." Kara pulled the older man into a hug. The young monk nearby gasp, but Banyan only laughed.
"You are safe here Kara. Supergirl." Banyan whispered into her ear releasing her."Come let us have tea. I believe we have much to discuss." Kara and the Master sea themselves as tea is brought and refreshment. "Your mother has relayed your concerns and issues. Have there been changes that I should be aware?" Kara sips her tea for a moment. She then relays all that has happened since her encounter with Reign, the coma, and her friends reticence to speak truth or be open with her. Banyan listens and nods at points.
"I'm tired. I'm...not sure I can do this anymore Banyan. There has been too many physical injuries and emotional ...injuries lately. My families withdrawal has not helped. If anything the secrets they keep are killing me. I just… I'm wondering if General Lane's words to me about not being needed might be true." Kara whispered across the table. Banyan leaned forward looking the young reporter deep within her eyes. What he saw did not bode well for mankind nor Kara Zor-El. He leaned back taking his cup of tea and mulling over the puzzle before him.
"I can help you I believe. However, I need you to stay for more than two days. Are you willing to stay for a while?" Banyan asked. He saw the hesitancy in Supergirl. "Before you answer ask yourself this question. "Are you any good to your family and friends right now? Will their hiding of secrets stop if you rush back?" Kara closed her eyes and thought. Time passed in silence as she weighed and measured what she knew with his words. It was the first quiet Supergirl can remember in a long while that allowed her to really think. The young reporter opened her eyes taking a deep breath.
"I will stay for as long as it takes. I am no good to family and friends right now. I will need to make sure though that a leave of absence is put in at CATCO and the DEO. Right now. As I am, I am no good to anyone. I'm beginning to feel like a punching bag lately." Kara responded firmly, but exhaustion had definitely weighted her words.
"I will let your mother know to make the proper notifications. Taimuk will show you to your room. We begin tomorrow. Meditation will be at six in the morning. Your mother has told me of RAO. You will meditate on him and what he would want from the daughter of the House of El. Toning and Training will start after breakfast. Late afternoon will entail realigning your Qi which is dangerously out of alignment. Evenings will entail stories and discussion. You will rest on the sixth day. Is this acceptable to you?" Banyan inquired seeing a flicker of curiosity and excitement come to life in Kara's eyes. She nodded. Banyan nodded and motioned to where Taimuk was waiting. The young female monk entered. "Taimuk will be assigned to assist you. Do not leave the monastery without notifying Taimuk or I? This is for your protection." Kara nodded once more.
"Thank you BanYan." Kara stated bowing deeply.
"One more thing Kara Zor-El. You will call me Master from this point. Understood?" Banyan stated firmly. Kara hesitated for only a moment.
"Yes, Master." Kara bowed once more following Taimuk out and toward the dormitory. Master Banyan watched as she left very worried that the light within Kara Zor-El was close to going out.
Meanwhile, back in National City.
"There is no evidence of Supergirl anywhere. All locators have been turned off or destroyed. Satellites have not been able to identify her whereabouts. Also the Kryptonite signature we use to track Superman and Supergirl has just disappeared once she was over the Pacific Ocean. I'm sorry Alex? She's just disappeared." Winn stated to the older Danver's sister.
"She wasn't at her last known location when I arrived. I checked her apartment. Nothing. In fact it's like she didn't plan to leave. Nothing was packed or out of place." Mon-El stated as he looked at Imhra.
"Couldn't she have gone to home to Eliza? She may be in Midvale." Imhra questioned as she looked at Alex.
"No, I don't think so. Eliza was not reachable anyway. She is in the middle of an experiment that can't be interrupted. I have the assurance of her assistant that she will have her contact me as soon as possible. Damn, this is impossible. She has to be somewhere." Alex growled slamming her hand down on the table. Everyone gathered jumped.
"Hey, hey Alex. It's going to be okay. We will find her." Lena Luthor said grabbing one of Alex's hands in a comforting gesture. Lena had just been brought into the fold a month ago. She was shocked her best friend was the girl of steel, but she had understood clearly why she had kept it a secret. Not that it didn't make her question if it had been her lineage that had caused Kara to keep the information from her. Kara's assurances it had to do with endangering her more than she already was had soothed Lena's concerns.
Alex took a deep breath, getting angry wouldn't help. She nodded toward Lena. Alex looked around the table. Lena, James, Winn, J'onn, Susan, Mon-El, Imhra, Brainy, Lucy, and Dr. Hamilton sat around.
"Okay, what do we know. Lena?" Alex looked pleading at Lena.
"I haven't spoken to Kara in a week. Since we have been trying to help Sam, I've not been that present in her life. I know that this morning HR at CATCO received notification from Kara she would be out of town for the weekend."
"The same was communicated with HR at the DEO this morning. Pam wasn't surprised by it and thought that it had been approved already by you Alex and J'onn since she has seen how tightly wound Supergirl has been." Lucy stated sliding a paper across to Alex. "However, there was no location given to where she was going which is DEO policy in case agents are in need of help or disappear."
"I don't understand. Dr. Hamilton was Supergirl showing any signs that she would do this? I mean Laura could this be a mental break?" Alex asked worried her sister might have come unhinged. Laura shook her head.
"Alex I am perplexed as deeply as you are on this. She came through the psyche evaluation after her coma and sessions with Dr. Statler all clear. He did mention she needed time off to recharge, but then the world killer problem became all consuming. Her body has healed just fine, though we have noticed her strength and power outputs are down. We haven't figured out why yet." Laura passed a set of folders around the Alex. Alex began leafing through the paperwork perplexed on what could have reduced Kara's power. She worried that the fight had taken more than they knew. Obviously something was going on with Kara since the fight.
"You know this could be from something Purity did? She could be causing Kara to question her importance?" Winn stated while looking toward Brainiac. "You said it yourself Brainy, she was questioning her importance. She was afraid. Could it still be bothering her? Could Purity have amplified it?" Brainiac seemed to be in deep thought for a few moments. He reran his meetings with Kara in the dreamscape.
"It's possible. But this seems like more. Something we are all missing." Brainy stated while he continued to think.
"She has been going full tilt since the Daxamite invasion. She hadn't quite worked through several things from the outcome." J'onn stated gently though he had glanced at Mon-El when it was Daxamite winced even as Imhra placed a hand on her husband's shoulder in comfort.
"I think you should know that that is not totally true." Susan said glancing at Winn, whom shook his head glared at him. "You and I both know it could be part of this. We have a responsibility to place all cards on the table."
"It was said in confidence. She didn't want anyone to know for a while yet." Winn growled back at the D.E.O. agent.
"Mr. Schott, if you and agent Vasquez know something that could help you have a duty to share." J'onn's stern voice echoed in the room. Winn deflated and looked toward Susan.
"You tell them. I won't break my word to Kara or Supergirl." Winn stated flatly. Susan nodded. She turned to toward Director J'onzz.
"Recently, agent Schott and I were made aware in a friend capacity that Kara Zor-El has been dating Cat Grant." A loud gasp ran around the table. Mon-El shook his head no trying to deny what was said. Imhra smiled knowing it was true. She knew this would cause his foundation to stumble since he still loved Kara. "It is new. She wanted to keep it quiet due to the newness and to who they both were. However, we both know it was serious. There have been several dinner dates, nights spent together, and Kara has been added to Carter's emergency contacts." Sarah let out. "But the last few weeks Ms. Grant has been unavailable to Kara. Repeated inquiries from Supergirl to Cat have come back with unanswered text, voicemails, and apologies that she is too busy to talk right now. She has stated she will make it up to Kara."
"How do you know about this?" Alex questioned. "Kara hasn't said a word to me. Not one word. How come you and Winn know?" Winn and Susan looked at each other. Winn nodded that he would answer.
"A month and a half ago Susan and I arrived an hour early for game night. We caught Cat and Kara in Kara's doorway in a heated kiss. It was obvious they had been seeing each other for a while. It was obvious that they knew each other intimately." Alex flopped back in her chair in disbelief. Lena looked with incredulity at Winn. Lucy smirked. She'd known something big was going on between the ladies."Kara said she would explain later, but made us promise not to say anything to anyone. Especially you Alex. She said you wouldn't understand." Winn said softly. Everyone around sat wondering if they really knew Kara at all. The sound of a notification came through. James grabbed his phone reading a notice sent by HR from Catco.
"HR at Catco just notified me that Kara's weekend vacation has been extended indefinitely now. They received an updated notice two hours ago that she has taken a leave of absence. Snapper has also notified that the leave of absence is to be paid. She has gone undercover on a story. All queries are to be made to Snapper." James stated angrily. "I know Cat brought him in to train Kara, but this oversteps his boundaries. He can't just take a reporter out of Catco for an undercover story without informing Lena or I."
"Actually, he can James. Since he is Kara's superior. He assigns the stories she works on. So therefore he can assign her to anything. Also, she will only report to him for the interim when it's safe. He must know how to reach her." Lucy stated. She had once been part of Catco legal so she knew how the corporate structure was set up.
"I want Snapper Carr arrested and brought to the DEO immediately. He is going to give up her location whether he likes it or not." Alex demanded standing up. James sighed shaking his head.
"That might be a little hard to do right now. You see Snapper took a leave of absence two weeks ago to go undercover for a story. He is unreachable. I don't even know what the story is or where he is. The only one who does is Ms. Grant."
"What the HELL James!" Alex shoved her chair against the wall walking angrily around the table and back again. "How could Kara arrange this all? This has to be coincidence!" Alex arms went over her head in frustration. J'onn was there in seconds pulling her into a hug.
"We will find her Alex. I promise." J'onn stated looking into his adopted daughters eyes.
"What if she is hurt? What if Cadimus has her? What if…" Alex exclaimed softly. "I can't do this without her J'onn. I can't…" The room was interrupted when an agent knocked.
"Agent Lane, I was to hand this to you. It comes from Pam in HR. Also, Agent Danvers I have a message from your mother. Lane and Danvers moved to receive the information." Agent Espinoza stated handing off the information and leaving once again. Lucy read the notification and nodded her head.
"Well, Pam has confirmed receiving notice that Supergirl will be gone indefinitely. No location on where she is located." Lucy stated looking toward Alex even as the others looked toward Alex as she read the letter. As the moments ticked by Alex became angrier and angrier as she read what was in front of her.
"It would seem my mother knows more than any of us." Alex grumbled as she began to read the letter to them.
"Alex,
I'm sorry I am unavailable to speak right now. I am in the middle of a critical experiment. You know how it goes.
As to your inquiry on Kara. She is safe and in a place of her choosing right now. None of you should be of concern. Kara will return soon. I would advise you not to go searching for our young Kryptonian. She is dealing with certain things that must be resolved before she takes on our World Killers.
It would be in the best interest of all concerned if they would examine their lives and how they have been treating their friend and sister. Perhaps if you all meditate on your actions lately it might give you the key to peace with the situation.
We will speak soon Alex. Do not worry. Some journeys require separation at times. You should know this more than anyone.
Your Loving Mother,
Eliza"
Everyone was quiet as they contemplated the words that Eliza had said.
"I don't understand. What does Eliza mean we need to examine our lives? How we have been treating our friend?" Winn said softly. "I thought...maybe…"
"She's implying we haven't been there for Kara. She is implying Kara has been hurting and we all have missed it. She is implying that we have let other things push Kara out of our lives." Alex stated looking toward Lena. Lena nodded acknowledging that they had kept Kara in the dark about Sam and what their suspicions were.
"So what do we do now? How do we find her?" Lena inquired rising and moving to the elder Danvers sister. She took Alex in her arms attempting to give comfort she knew Kara would if she had been there.
"We don't. We leave it alone. Eliza obviously has an idea of where Kara is and how long she will be there." J'onn stated. Alex and the others went to argue, but J'onn raised his hand. "I will speak to Eliza as soon as possible. Right now we have several issues to deal with. Not the least is the World Killers. So let's get to work so we will be ready when Supergirl returns. We need to be the best we can for her." J'onn looked them all in the eye. They all nodded and gave a voiced affirmative. Everyone began filing out slowly.
"Alex?" Lena inquired softly. Alex looked up.
"I'll meet up with you and Sam in an hour. Thank you for being here." Alex whispered as Lena hugged her. J'onn watched Lena leave. The door closed leaving Alex and J'onn in the room.
"She had no right. I have always taken care of Kara. She had no right keeping this from me." Alex yelled.
"How much have you kept from her? How much have you kept from Kara?" The Martian asked. "We are in the business of secrets Alex. Just because you are an agent doesn't mean you get to know everything. Kara was with you all this time. You had no inkling that something else was going on? That she was drowning under some weight." The Director stated softly.
"I thought it was Mon-El? I thought she was struggling with that. How could I have known she and Cat were a thing. How could I have known there was something more?" Alex shouted allowing the pain to take full grasp. J'onn understood completely. He had never seen two sisters so close. They completed each other in so many ways. Once could not exist without the other. That truly worried him on account of Supergirls longevity.
"You taught your sister well. You know we tease her all the time that she can't keep secrets. That really isn't true. Kara has obviously been shouldering a lot more than any of us realized. She has done it without letting on too." J'onn moved closer grabbing the older Danvers shoulder and squeezing it. "Give her time. She needs it. Give her time to heal. Trust her. She trusts you. Trust her now that she is doing what she needs." J'onn felt more than saw that Aex accepted his words. "Come on, let's get back to work. Let's be ready for her return."
