A/N: okay, this happened because I was rewatching Supergirl and thinking that Lucy Lane would have made the perfect villain for season two because she becomes Superwoman in the comics. Seriously, how could they give up Lucy?! She was freaking awesome and Mon-El was a damned disaster. If you like Mon-El, I'm sorry but he was a very poorly written character and Maxwell Lord was a better character than him. Re-watch it and compare...and now I'm ranting. This is why I blame Tumblr.

I took a little break from Athena but I do have her next story outlined and ready to be written but I got kidnapped by Supergirl before I could start.

I don't own Supergirl or the Green Lanterns, just playing

Chapter One: A Lantern Meets a Super

Let's see, how do I want to start this? Well, I guess a name and occupation would be a good place. Okay, so, my name is Nadine Pickett and I'm a Green Lantern (sometimes inventor, the royalties help pay the bills). Have been for going on three years now. I became a Lantern when the Green Lantern Crops on Oa went through something of a rebirth.

There was this whole thing with Hal Jordan being possessed by Parallax (fear monger dude)…well, it was complicated. Easy to say that the Corps nearly ended and was rebuilt by some of the remaining veterans after helping Jordan re-imprison big yellow guy Parallax back into the Central Battery. That's the thing that all Green Lanterns draw their power from even if they are just using the more iconic (and mobile…meaning not inside a planet) lantern shaped power battery. So when that kerfuffle was all said and done, and they went started to rebuilt, the veterans decided to add extra lanterns.

Seriously there are over three thousand sectors and only one lantern per sector before. How is that an effective peacekeeping force? Sounds like someone wasn't thinking that one through when they first started sending out rings like drunks playing a game of darts. Which leads back to me and how I became a Green Lantern.

It literally hit me out of nowhere. I'd just finished my first year at Gotham University, going for a masters in engineering; I'd transferred over from after getting my bachelors at Metropolis University of Applied Science (on par with MIT). My uncle had had connections that he had no problem using so that when I graduated high school I could get into any college I wanted. I'd graduated early just before my seventeenth birthday. Those full ride scholarships applied to both schools if I kept my grades up; which I was.

Finals were over and I'd just gotten back to my little apartment that I'm pretty sure I shared with one of those Gotham crazies. Well, if she wasn't then she should have been, that girl was nuts. Anyways, I was coming back from picking up dinner, had just set the pizza on the kitchen counter when this green ball of light flew in through the kitchen and smacked me in the head. Had a goose bump on my temple, the ring on my finger and a throbbing headache when I woke up. I was whisked away not two seconds later to Oa.

Like I said, that was three years ago and now earth has five Lanterns spread across the globe including myself because humans and aliens be crazy. The increase of alien refugees coming in, seeking asylum and safe harbor, hasn't helped humans natural instinct to dislike what's different. I had originally been in Gotham because that's where I had been living when I was recruited but when the Guardians (mostly Kilowog) found about Fort Rozz prisoners becoming active (mainly the Kryptonian ones) I was sent to visit National City.

See, there'd be a recent issue with a deranged copy of Superboy (we call him Superboy-Prime) going on a rampage that took a sentient planet to help stop. I like Mogo, the planet literally saved my life during that mess. The whole Crops, who could be spared, was in on that. Superboy-Prime murdered a whole planet and thirteen lanterns before he was stopped. Had to have Superboy (first one) and Superman to help as well.

So, because I had experience with supers…everyone else had been on earth or hadn't been chosen yet…I'm the one who got to make the trek to National City when Supergirl put on her cape. Needed to know if she was a clone or not and to find out what her intentions were. Plus, the Guardians had an ultimatum for the Fort Rozz situation.

Super-douche…I mean…Superman, hadn't told us that there was another Kryptonian on earth. We asked because we'd heard rumors of Fort Rozz crashing on earth. Not that the Lanterns had anything against her but Kal-El (dude is Clark Kent, I know this because I drew glasses on a picture of Superman because I was bored) never said anything about there being another of his kind on earth when the Lanterns were asking him questions after Superboy-Prime was captured.

It's just the Fort Rozz we heard of is the same Fort Rozz that belonged to Krypton and was their prison ship that stayed in the Phantom Zone. A pocket of space that exists outside the normal constraints of space and time; meaning that things that usually get sucked in don't come back out and time has no meaning there. A thousand years could pass and a person would not feel the ravages of it.

If a Lex Luthor clone could murder the population of one planet without being enhanced then what could a normal Kryptonian do? Also, I remember when Superman decided he didn't like the Bat and tried to destroy half of Gotham to get him. So between Superboy-Prime and Jealous Superman…well, you can say that these incidents made an impression on the newly rebuilt Corps and myself.

***GL***

I'd taken a plane to National City because I didn't know how long this was going to take. Didn't have any baggage to claim, just a back pack as a carry on. I was about to jump on a bus when my ring went nuts in my head. It was always scanning for danger and found it in the form of a bomb flying away from National City. That was decidedly weird.

Quickly jogging away from the station I called up the power of my ring. I've never figured out where my clothes go when the near skin tight suit comes out of the ring. Freaked me out the first couple of times that I was in the suit but I decided that it was just easier to not think of it because once the suit goes away my clothes come back. Hey, clothes aren't cheap…even at Walmart.

My suit was the usual black, white and green but I had a jacket and a utility belt. The jacket was green with white piping and black shoulders with the Green Lantern logo (a sideways green tie fighter) was on my left shoulder. This was an addition that I'd made upon my first arrival at Oa. I wasn't comfortable with just wearing a skintight cat suit, body image issues. Only thing that stayed skin tight were the pants, which were black, with green boots. I stole the idea of the utility belt from the Bat. Held useful items.

Greatest thing about my suit was the mask. The mask was deep green and turned my eyes a very pale color so that their real color wasn't discernable. It completed the look and made me feel at one with my Green Lantern self. Only a handful of people know who I really am and I like to keep it that way. More so that I can be impartial when I am acting as a Green Lantern than worrying about a secret identity. I'm supposed to be an intergalactic peacekeeper and even though I don't have much of a personal life but I still like it to be personal as possible.

Anyways, hate talking about fashion, I jumped into the sky, stashing my bag on the airport roof before willing myself into flight to find the floating bomb…that was gaining altitude away from the city. Again, weird but I quickly caught sight of why the bomb was going up. The blue and red streak was very telling.

Supergirl was doing her hero thing and getting the bomb away from where it could hurt people or property. I slowed down and watched her work, figuring that she'd chuck the bomb at some point. She didn't and got a face full of fiery explosion that I could feel from where I was, quite a ways away.

The force of the blast pushed me backwards and the only reason I knew that Supergirl was alive was because of my ring. It showed me her trajectory heading out to sea. She'd been knocked out and had no control over her descent towards the water. She was moving with a great deal of velocity.

Putting double effort into my flying, I caught Supergirl in a green bubble about a hundred feet before she hit the water. She looked way young up close and nothing like the other super that Earth claimed (most Earthlings that was). Supergirl had blonde hair where his was black. There were a few similarities if you looked close I guess, the strength of the jaw and the cheeks.

This was not how I wanted to meet the girl, hey…at least she wasn't a clone. Ring told me after I scanned her to make sure she was okay. Shaking my head, I carried her back towards the shore were helicopters were screaming our way from the desert. There had been rumors that Supergirl was tied in with a military organization. Only covert peoples want black helicopters and travel in packs.

With a sigh, I set us carefully down on the beach and waited. Supergirl was just knocked out and had a strong heartbeat so her waking up was a matter of time. Now to pass that along to the angry looking woman with the gun. She'd been out of the helicopter before it'd even fully touched down and was glaring at me like I'd personally offended the human race or had been the one to hurt Supergirl.

"Who the hell are you?" she demanded after her eyes had flicked to the snoring Supergirl

I frowned at her "I'm a Green Lantern. Does the suit and mask not give it away?" I asked titling my head slightly "the emblem perhaps?" I tapped my shoulder just below the lantern "the green and black?"

"What are you doing here Green Lantern?" another woman asked, standing just off to the side of the first one.

"I'm here under the order of the Guardians," I said as calmly as possible "they've sent me to National City to talk Supergirl. She's fine by the way, just knocked out."

First woman gritted her teeth and her finger twitched at the trigger "you are not taking Supergirl anywhere!"

I frowned again "why would I take her anywhere? If I wanted do that I wouldn't have waited for you to arrive," I sighed "is there someone else I can talk to? A higher up?"

"Ma'am," Second Woman called to First Woman "director wants us to bring the Green Lantern in."

First Woman nodded "right, you're coming with us," she used her gun to point towards the helicopter "move!"

I didn't move and Second Woman muttered "Agent Danvers, she's not a threat. If she was she wouldn't have saved Supergirl from the water."

"Exactly, Agent Danvers," I smiled at her which only made her snarl more pronounced if that was possible "you could ask me in a professional manner."

"Move or I'll shoot," Agent Danvers growled "how's that for professional."

I snorted "rather crappy," I said honestly and reached out with a green hand to tug the gun out of her hands and tossed it over my shoulder "that's better, I don't like guns pointed at me. Now, which copter am I in or do you want me to follow behind? I can fly."

"This one!" Second Woman cried quickly, her gun lowered and pointing to the helicopter on the left. It was opposite of the one they'd put Supergirl in "come on before she really does shoot you with her sidearm."

***GL***

Their base was so clichéd that it was ridiculous. An underground base in the California desert. I had to resist the urge to ask them if they'd ripped off Area 51. The agent I was following had identified herself as Agent Vasquez, who'd explained on the helicopter ride that I was going to have to fill out a lot of Non-Discourser Agreements when we got to their headquarters. The government and their secrets. Now that I was in their headquarters I really wasn't that impressed.

I watched them cart Supergirl off down one hall with Agent Danvers hot on their tails while Agent Vasquez led me down another. To what closely resembled an interrogation room but with more chairs and a large screen TV instead of a two way mirror. She left me alone there and informed me that their director would be there shortly.

Well, this was boring. Green Lanterns, when wearing our power rings, feel neither the elements, hunger or thirst nor the need to use the bathroom. We don't sleep either because all that fun stuff is regulated by the ring. Which means that I couldn't take a nap while I waited. Why was I such an anti-napper as a child? Only time I get to sleep now is when I take the ring off but I'm too busy for that.

However, I have learned to meditate…whilst floating. It helps strengthen willpower by learning how to focus the mind and multitask. Pretty sure they were watching me float in a green blob in perfect lotus form. I dated a yoga instructor once…so limber but the relationship didn't last long. It was the ring bringing me out of my trance with a [incoming: Human and Green Martian] in my head. Sort of a still-small voice whispering that I can see in white block letters. I don't think too much on it because that would give me a headache.

I raised an eyebrow and watched Agent Danvers burst through the doors followed by a tall, broad shoulder man with dark skin. They were both glaring at me and I found myself curious how a Green Martian came to work at the DEO. Wondered if the DEO knew he was working for them. I unlaced my legs and floated back down to the floor.

"I'm Director Henshaw of the Department for Extra-Normal Operations," the big man had a booming voice as he sat down at the table, huh…even more curious "who are you, Green Lantern?"

I smiled and sat down across from "I am just Green Lantern. The others might use their real names but I'm here in an official capacity so it's just Lantern if you don't want to use the whole thing," I grinned "now as to why I'm here. Like I told Agent Danvers here, I am here because Superman never mentioned that there was another Kryptonian on earth, plus the whole Fort Rozz thing. What really brings me here is that universe in general has been subjected to bastardized clones of Superman. We had to imprison one three years ago, so you can imagine our surprise and apprehension at Supergirl's sudden appearance. Though you'll be happy to know that she is not a clone."

"Of course Supergirl isn't a fucking clone!" Agent Danvers snapped looking like she wanted to come across the table and smack me "and she isn't dangerous!"

I didn't flinch at her tone "Agent Danvers, the very nature of clones is to look exactly the same. I have already scanned her and know she is not a clone. Are you not ascertaining if I am a threat at this current moment while you are talking to me? Now, I just want to talk with her and that is all," I stayed calm as the woman before me fumed "you have to understand that the Green Lanterns have seen the destruction that the clones are capable of, as has Superman. He was there when we took down Superboy-Prime."

"Why did Superman not tell us about this?" Director Henshaw demanded

I tried not to roll my eyes at him "how would I know?" I asked in return "I know not what's in the mind of that douche…ugh, guy…" I stumbled over my correction and caught Agent Danvers's little smirk "I don't know what he's thinking or why he keeps secrets. You'd have to ask him. After my chat with Supergirl we can talk about the situation with the escapees of Fort Rozz."

"Fine," Henshaw nodded (confirming our rumors by not correcting me for like the hundredth time that I've mentioned it) and cut off Danvers's protest "just a talk and I want to be in the room with you when this happens."

"The more the merrier, just as so I get to talk with Supergirl." I shrugged

***GL***

They let me out of the interrogation/conference room and allowed me to hang out in their command room. Actually, I was under the supervision of Agent Vasquez. The woman was pretty chill and wanted to know all about the Green Lanterns. Probably more of a fact finding mission considering the sink eye we were getting from Agent Danvers from across the room.

I could feel Agent Danvers's ire, it was very palpable and it made me wonder why she was acting this way. Made me wonder what connection she had to Supergirl or if the woman was just always hostel. I was about to ask Vasquez how long Supergirl had been with the DEO when my ring buzzed [incoming: Kryptonian and Green Martian] (again, not a clone).

Looking back over my shoulder I saw Supergirl exit a corridor behind me with Director Henshaw beside her. Supergirl looked better than the last time I'd seen her, she was awake and walking about. I got to my feet and held my hand out to a weary Supergirl.

"Lady El, it is a pleasure to meet you," I bowed my head to her and she hesitantly shook my hand, squeezing painfully as she did. Nothing happened and she quirked an eyebrow up as my ring read out the results of her scan "congratulations, you are not a clone. The Guardians will be very happy to hear this. Also, you're not going to hurt my hand."

"Wh-why would I be a clone?" she asked, her voice low and confident despite her sputter.

I stood back and held my hands behind my back "because Kal-El did not tell us of another of your people being on this planet. He was asked specifically because there is a settlement for any surviving Kryptonians. The Green Lanterns sought out and found the ones who'd been off planet when Krypton exploded. They merchants, separatists and a lost unit of soldiers. They were offered the chance to relocate to a planet under a red sun similar to Rao."

Supergirl paled and had to sit down quickly "what?" she could only blinked at me

I knelt down before her "you are not the last daughter of your people, Lady El. There are others out there. With Kal-El on earth we thought there might be more to find their way here. That is a certain possibility with the presence of Fort Rozz."

"I never considered that," Supergirl gaped "why haven't they come forward before?"

I shrugged "Superman was not well liked before, especially by the US Military and given what happened with Kon-El and Superboy-Prime, they probably figured it was safer to hide."

"Who is Kon-El?" Supergirl frowned and snapped out as she surged to her feet "I am the eldest of the House of El. I am its head and I know every member of my House. I do not know that name!"

I frowned as I followed her up and shook my head "that is probably something you should discuss with your family member. However, I can inform you and the DEO, that in light of those events concerning Kon-El and Superboy-Prime, it is now Intergalactic Law that the cloning or the conversion of DNA to Kryptonian is illegal."

Agent Danvers sputtered out in surprise before Supergirl could respond "what do you mean 'the conversion of DNA to Kryptonian'? It's possible to become Kryptonian?"

I nodded "yes, but it's very much illegal."

Supergirl cut in to explain where I did not "a dozen years before I was born, Krypton was at war with a race called the Ma'Tak. Their scientists found a way to convert their people so they'd pass through our cities undetected. They were terrorists that were near impossible to stop. The Green Lantern for my sector intervened but some of their scientists escaped," she glared at me "why is only now that the Guardians are making more Lanterns for the different sectors?"

I shrugged and Supergirl rolled her eyes at me before I asked "Lady El, do you intend to follow in Kal-El's footsteps?" I asked "to use your powers to protect the planet Earth?"

"Yes," she said without hesitation, her chin had raised up "why do you ask?"

"The Guardians wanted to know your intentions for putting on the cape," I tilted my head slightly and asked "and I was curious. What do you intend to do about those who were aboard Fort Rozz?"

Supergirl took a deep breath and stated firmly "I intend on stopping them, earth is my home."

I nodded "what about ones whose sentences have ended and do not intend on causing trouble on Earth?" I wanted to know "what about the ones you have already caught and are holding without due process."

Henshaw smirked "just how would you like to give them due process?" he demanded "we are a secret organization, we can't just hold trials for them."

"The Guardians are willing to try them for you," I didn't shrink under his tone, he really wasn't that intimidating. I've met scarier beings than him "for thousands of years the planet Krypton and the Guardians were allies. The Guardians are still willing to honor that agreement," I looked back to Supergirl "if you wish, Lady El, as you are the highest ranking Kryptonian on this planet."

Supergirl nodded and asked "what exactly does this agreement entail?"

"Relocation, rehabilitation, re-incarceration and resources," I sighed "if they have served their time and want off planet, we will help. If they can be rehabilitated back into society then we will, which leads back to relocation if they want. The re-incarceration speaks for itself."

Director Henshaw, his arms folded across his chest and demanded "and resources?"

"The Green Lanterns have a vast information network, supplies, non-lethal weapons, doctors and Green Lanterns themselves," I stated simply "we are concerned about the alien presence in the city; violence from both alien and human. All we want is peace and order."

Supergirl shifted from foot to foot as she thought about it "can we think of this?" she asked glancing at Henshaw as she spoke "for a couple of days?"

I nodded "of course," I offered as my ring buzzed again with more information "now, if you'll excuse me, I am being called to Oa. When I am done there, I will return for your answer," I relaxed when the buzzing stopped "and Supergirl, about Kon-El…I am sorry to have to be the bearer of such news."

Supergirl nodded "it would seem that I need to have a conversation with my cousin and remind him who is head of our House," she did give a weak smile before bowing her head to me "it was an honor to meet you, Green Lantern."

I smiled and bowed my head to her in return "the honor was mine, Lady El. May your House prosper."

***GL***

I streaked across the desert to collect my backpack from the airport. Using the moment there to make sure that my ring was powered up. I was heading for Oa which mean opening a portal/worm hole to Sector Zero. With my ring full charged and my pack retrieved I shot into the sky and quickly rocketed out of Earth's atmosphere. That was always trippy, heading out into space where I shouldn't be able to exist without a ship or suit.

A lot of Lanterns did travel by ship depending upon what they were doing, how far they were going. However, a Lantern had the ability to travel through space just their ring's power. Problem with that was if the ring lost power then the Lantern was pretty much screwed. Result was death and the ring going off to find someone else to continue the Lantern legacy and the pervious barer was left to the void of space. (Hint, that's why I topped off my ring)

Somewhere just past the moon, safe in my green bubble, I opened the portal and threw myself into the swirling purple cloud. The trip was relatively short, traveling great distances in the blink of the eye. One moment I had Earth and her moon to my back with Mars quite the distance away and the next I was looking up the largely desolate planet of Oa.

Oa was home to the Central Power Battery for the Green Lantern Corp and home to the Guardians. I say the planet is 'largely desolate' meaning that it's mostly desert and its inhabitants who came back after the issue with Parallax lived in the highly advanced Guardian City. I can only image what it is like for them to see thousands of extra Lanterns buzzing about.

I dropped by the Cathedral first to let one of the aids there know about my arrival and my request speak with the little blue beings that ran the place. I let my mask dissolve before I headed down to the Dining Hall were most of the Lanterns were milling about. Just because we didn't need to eat doesn't mean that any of us were about to give up the habit. Plus take the ring off and back to normal usually means low blood sugar, I keep candy bars in my utility belt for that.

***GL***

In the Dining Hall, I encountered Jared Cole and Kyle Rayner, also from Earth. They were the senior Lanterns for our sector. Apparently they'd heard a rumor that someone from Fort Rozz had left earth. They were out recruiting for someone they called The General.

"What?" I shook my head, sitting on top of the bench, resting my forearms on my knees "how did they get off-world? We haven't marked any ships leaving the planet recently…have we?"

Rayner just folded his arms across his chest "no, but we haven't been actively monitoring earth until three years ago. I'm more worried about the fact that the rumor is connected to rumors of Red Lanterns on the move again. The Black Lanterns were supposed to have gotten their leader under control but they haven't reported in that they've reached their home world in Sector 0666 like they promised," he didn't look happy about that

"Is that why I was called back?" I asked "because of the Reds and Blacks? I thought we had that sorted out."

Cole shrugged and spoke in that silky English accent, he was sitting next to me on the table "don't know why you were called back, luv, could have something do to with National City's shadier alien elements for all we know."

It was my turn to frown, nodding and lead me to asking "ever hear anything about a government group called the DEO, Department of Extra-Normal Operations?"

Cole chuckled humorlessly "government types, worked with Superman for a while. Henshaw supposed to be a real alien hater once upon a time but seems to have mellowed out. Managed to stave off a few invasions. Loads better than Project CADMUS, that's for such," he snarled "wouldn't mind getting my hands on that lot, bunch of sickos dissecting aliens and using them as spare parts. Why?"

"Because that's who I found Supergirl working with and, by the way, Henshaw is a Green Martian, or the Green Martian replaced the real Henshaw," I told them "I didn't get the chance to ask."

Cole stood and shook his head "sounds like some tosser's got his balls in the mix there."

"What?" Rayner and I frowned in response

The English gent sighed and shook his head "sounds like someone's playing with smoke and mirrors."

"Okay, that made more sense," I chuckled at him "and I agree. Though I didn't feel him trying to read my mind."

"Probably didn't want to give himself away," Rayner pointed out "Green Martians are all pretty much in hiding. The Whites don't care if they have to trek halfway across the galaxy to get their hands on one."

The conversation kind of ended there before I could ask more about Fort Rozz because the Guardians' aid found us. I was wanted in their council room. Rayner and Cole bid goodbye to me and promised they'd catch up with me before I left back for earth. Nodding in agreement, I turned and followed the aid back up to the Cathedral.

***GL***

For such small beings they sure sat on tall seats. There were eight of them on their very tall column seats. Each void of emotion and immortal. In my personal opinion, that made them every much as dangerous as any criminal brought before them. A lot can be said about compassion and understanding.

They listened in as I reported what I knew about Supergirl. She wasn't a clone because the ring would have said otherwise. I did think that she was young, great inexperienced and needed a lot more training. She was confident and willful in her stance that she wanted to help Earth and those who lived there.

The first Guardian to speak did so in a strange, flat voice that all Guardians had "we've heard many rumors regarding the city and Earth itself. Rumors that are disturbing. The humans' fear mongering and tactics are starting to draw the attention of those who are drawn to the fighting along with the refugees fleeing before them."

"Guardian?" I frowned questioningly "what do you mean?"

"There has been a sighting of the criminal Lar-On, report suggests that he was heading for Earth and that he was being called there by The General," a second Guardian stated and then shook its head "he is a very dangerous individual. He was exposed to red kryptonite while on his world. Closest human terms for what he became would be a werewolf, a Bestial Kryptonian."

Another Guardian spoke up as I just gaped at them, honestly I can't tell them apart "you have new orders, we want you to move to National City and watch over the alien population there. Keep an eye out for Lar-On, he is very much wanted by this council for multiple crimes."

I sighed, I should have expected this because…of course they wanted me to go there. It was wishful thinking that another Lantern would be placed there. There was so much that I was going to have to do before I could even start to move. Mainly looking for a place I could live that I could actually afford on what income I did have. Having an actual day job was not compatible with being a Lantern.

The Guardians let me go once they'd finished their long winded and slightly confusing orders. Couldn't they have just said 'go to National City, a disturbance in the force, this is' would that have been so hard? It was a good thing that my ring knew what my orders were because I totally zoned out after the revelation of a Kryptonian werewolf…because that's not scary at all.

As was tradition, I headed down to the Central Battery to power up my ring whether it really needed it or not. Every Lantern did this when they came to Oa. We all had our own little lantern batteries but this tradition dated back to the founding of the Corps. That was where Rayner and Cole found me, waiting in line for my turn to recite the oath.

"So, do I tell them about the Kryptonian werewolf or just let them figure that one out when it pops out of nowhere?" I asked trying to keep my tone even as we walked away from the central battery "because that has me freaking out!"

"Good thing greens are allowed to feel fear now," Cole sniggered slapping me on the shoulder "calm down, Pickett. Remember to breathe."

Rayner just shook his head and stated calmly "you are a Green Lantern, Nadine. Trust in yourself and if you get into trouble you can always call for help."

***GL***

First thing I always do when I return to Earth is I call my best friend and the only person I consider family on this miserable planet. I met Lena Luthor when I first started at Metropolis. For some odd reason I had been placed as her roommate and she instantly attached herself to me; this awkward and lost seventeen year old. She was maybe a year or two older, doing two degrees at once with one already under her belt.

She left university a year before me, going to Paris to help with a struggling research branch there. Lena made me keep in contact with her; a therapist that Lena had me see told me that I had detachment issues steaming from a childhood trauma. Didn't need the four hundred dollars an hour to figure that bit of wisdom. Lena decided that she keep herself attached to me, outcasts had to keep together.

Lena nearly broke my eardrum when I told her that I was moving away from Gotham. She'd been trying to get me out of the city since I'd become a Green Lantern. Could have had more to do my roommate. I will admit that my roommate wasn't the most stable person in the world but she did pay her bills on time and was never late with her half of the rent.

Guess Lena wasn't a big fan of the 'not stable' part of my roommate's personality. When she was done squealing she told me to pack my shit and head for Metropolis. Then I reminded her that I didn't own a vehicle capable of transporting any sort of luggage. My graduation present from Lena, the only one I'd accept, was a rather nice Ducati motorcycle. Lena, herself, taught me to ride it and helped me get my motorcycle license.

Lena huffed and told me to let her think about it and then hung up on me. I just sighed and returned home. Harley had gotten extra takeout in case I'd be home that night, which I thanked her for with a hug that made her laugh. Of course, she snuck into my room later that night when I was asleep to hack into my computer and watch Netflix until she was tired enough to sleep. I really wasn't surprised that I woke with Harley basically draped over me.

The surprising bit was Lena sitting on the other side of me eating a bowl of cereal. She raised an eyebrow at Harley's sleeping form. At least Harley had an oversized t-shirt on this time; last time Lena was here Harley been going through a 'hating clothes' phase.

The hardest part of the day was informing Harley that I was moving. Harley's attachment issues were a lot more complicated than mine. After the threatening with a knife, the brokenhearted sobs, the drinking and Harley passing out on the couch, Lena and I got to work packing my meager belongings. My in-home lap took the longest to get packed.

Took most of the afternoon because I decided not to take any furnishings with me expect for a table that my uncle had given me before he'd died. Man was a true-blue marine and had been killed in action on tour in Iraq. Woke Harley before we left, which got awkward when she kissed me on the lips and told me that I couldn't hide from her…then passed out again.

***GL***

Lena worked her magic and within a day found an apartment on the 'good side' of National City…which she bought outright so that there was no need to pay rent. Actually, she may have bought the whole building and called it an investment. Lena was taking a big interest in National City now that I was moving there.

Things with LexCorp…or was it still LuthorCorp? Anyways, with Lex in jail, found guilty of mass murder with only sentencing left, the fate of the company was up in the air. Lena had already been in talks with the lawyers about her taking over the CEO position. Which, Lena swore, that if she did become CEO then her company was getting the hell out of Metropolis where Superman ruled public opinion.

To celebrate my last night on Lena's side of the country, she took me out drinking. We went to her favorite bar. Of course it was a gay bar that was owned by friends of Lena's and got us in for free. I was never one to be brave in situations like these, not even when liquor tended to make me…a sliver-tongued devil as Lena would say.

Lena and I were at the bar when a familiar brunette crashed into me on her way to the bar "how shit!" the woman, Lois Lane of all people "Nadine Pickett!" Lois grinned and pinched at my cheeks, she was obviously well into her night "what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be pestering Gotham?" she demanded, of course she knew how I was.

"Shouldn't you be following around tall, dumb and flighty wanting a quote?" I shot back "not drinking in a gay bar?"

Lois snorted and drew herself up straight, wobbling on her high heels "bitch, please! I can do what I want…whom I want. Clark can suck it…" she leaned closer and giggled "plus, I'm here on a story, don't tell anyone."

"Lois!" a younger brunette with very pretty green eyes pushed her way through the crowd to get to the bar "what the hell, Lois!" she growled getting over to the tipsy reporter "how are you so fast in those heels?"

Lois shrugged "practice baby sis, oh shit!" she giggled before getting me into a headlock "Lucy, Lucy, Lucy!" she chanted "this is Nadine, she's a friend…and Luthor-girl too."

Lena smirked as 'Lucy' helped free me "never change Lane."

Lois froze and squinted her eyes at Lena "did you just make a joke, Luthor?"

I winced at the gleeful light in Lena's eyes "no," Lena snorted "but your father did…oh, about nine months before you were born."

Lois gasped "you whore!"

"Are you sure you want to call yourself that?" Lena asked and threw back her drink "self-deprecation is never an attractive trait, Lane."

I grimaced and grabbed 'Lucy's' hand as Lois was gearing up for her retort and I pulled 'Lucy' away from the danger zone. The woman tried to protest but I pulled her towards the stairs and the second floor bar that was much quieter than the one downstairs. I brought her a drink as an apology.

"Sorry about that but it seemed easier and safer to run for it than get pulled into their bantering. Trust me, they do not care about casualties when they really get into it," I told Lucy as we waited for our drinks "I'm Nadine, by the way."

"Lucy Lane," the woman chuckled and smiled at me "I didn't realize that my sister knew Lena Luthor well enough for drunk snarking."

I snorted "they don't need to be drunk for that but they do enjoy it immensely. Happens every time they run into each other," I leaned in closer to Lucy, damn she smelled good…like honey melon "lesser known secret is that they are actually friends in some weird way. I've seen the texts that are actually civil."

Lucy grinned "I think I'm going to remind Lois of this every chance I get."

***GL***

Somewhere between the drinks and talking, the dancing that Lucy pulled me into and the stolen kisses on the dance floor, I fell in love with Lucy Lane. She was smart, easy going and seemed genuine in a way that few people at bars were. Lucy was beyond gorgeous and I felt connected to her in that I've never been with anyone else. Now, just because I have problems forming attachments and deep personal connections doesn't mean that I'm not capable of falling head over heels.

I really didn't want this night to end which was probably why I didn't protest when Lucy whispered in my ear that we should go find someplace more private. Like the guest room I was staying in at Lena's apartment. I didn't want just one night with Lucy and I had the naïve thought that I could get more if I showed her the best night of her life.

She was gone the next morning when I woke. The side of the bed still had a trace of her warmth but cool enough that she'd been gone for a while. I decided not to dwell up this, it was easier just to bury my feelings and get on with my day. So, I got up and showered. Was eating breakfast when I got to witness Lena's walk of shame.

Her clothes were beyond wrinkled, her hair looked like she'd stuck a knife in the kitchen outlet, there was a lingering hint of another woman's perfume and there was a familiar shade of lipstick smeared on Lena's neck. I could only blink at Lena as she stole my orange juice and gulped it down, it'd hit me who's lipstick that might be.

"Please tell me that you and Pushy Lane didn't…ya know," I gaped at Lena "she's dating Superman…fucking Clark Kent. What the hell happened?!"

Lena had a slight smirk on her lips as she collapsed into the chair next to me "liberal amounts of alcohol and Lois's very curious nature. She and Super-douche had had a fight and she was looking for an outlet," Lena pushed up her sunglasses "I was very happy to be that leg trembling, foul mouthed, multiple orgasms outlet."

I could only shake my head at her "and they say you don't have the Luthor streak in you, you devious and beautiful woman, you," Lena snorted at the comment "but you do realize that you will have to move now that you've defiled Superman's girlfriend."

Lena giggled manically "several times and I was moving anyways. I bought more than your apartment building, Bab," I still hate that nickname "I am moving L-Corp to National City…oh, and renaming it if you hadn't noticed."

Yea, I'd noticed and could only gape at my friend as she stole my cereal. After breakfast and Lena's shower, we started out cross country trip to get to National City. Sure, we could have shipped my things and I could have caught a plane but then I won't have gotten to spend as much time with Lena.

My new apartment was near the top floor, had three bedrooms, one she could crash in if she wanted and the other as a lab for me. It came fully furnished already (I'm sure that was Lena's doing) and…most importantly in Lena's opinion, it had a balcony. As she told me; every superhero needed a balcony…it was in the job description.

***GL***

My return to the DEO came just after Supergirl had dealt with the bomber. A former employee of Lord Technologies that Agent Vasquez was positive that still working for Lord. The bombs had been to test Supergirl and her abilities. Evidence showed this and the fact that Lord had paid for all the medical expenses that the Bomber's daughter had incurred with her stay in the hospital due to some rare condition.

As Agent Danvers was off base it had Agent Vasquez who made sure that I wasn't shot by overzealous agents. That was nice of her and she even led me to Henshaw's office too. Answering my questions as we went, catching me up with current events on the way.

"Supergirl isn't here, Lantern," he grumbled after glancing up and went back to his paperwork "come back later."

I sat down across from him in the only other chair in the room "I'm not exactly here to see Supergirl. First of two things, the Guardians of Oa have assigned me to National City in response to a rumored threat."

Henshaw leaned back in his chair, throwing his pen to his desk "what threat would that be?"

"According to the Lanterns, a Kryptonian named The General has put a call out to any Kryptonians who may have survived Krypton's destruction," I explained "One such survivor is named Lar-On. Not a criminal originally but a geologist who was exposed to natural red kryptonite whilst exploring the planet's core."

"He went into a rage?" Henshaw gruffed

I shook my head, so wishing that was only it "no, it turned…him…into a werewolf," I grimaced at that "I am not joking, Director Henshaw. Lar-On was turned into a wolf like creature much like Hollywood has pictured. He escaped Krypton before they could put him in Fort Rozz. That's as far as the Kryptonian files go. I don't know where he's been or when he'll arrive."

Henshaw just blinked at me "what are your plans for stopping him?"

I shrugged "I have no clue. I've never faced something like him but I know that Hal Jordan learned how to make his green will force to mimic the effects of green kryptonite. I was thinking about finding out how he did that," I scowled "means I'll have to go back to Gotham to find a very grouch bat."

Henshaw smirked "the Bat is paranoid of his own shadow."

"As someone who lived in Gotham and worked as a crime fighter in the city, I completely understand," I really did, I was happy that I never had to face The Joker "however, this is something that I'll have to talk to Supergirl about. I know that Lar-On was not the only one who turned into a beast on her planet."

"Good idea, just be tactful about mentioning the kryptonite idea," he glowered, don't think this man had a happy setting "what was the second thing you wanted to talk about."

"I know you're a Green Martian, the ring told me so don't lie," I was truly interested as to why he was hiding where he was "I'm not going out you or anything, just curious is all."

He growled and his eyes flashed red "the real Hank Henshaw tried to kill me in Peru ten years ago, I was saved by a good man who lost his life saving mine. I decided to honor that man by assuming Henshaw's form and actually doing some good for the world with the position he held."

"The real Henshaw ever coming back because I heard he wasn't a very nice guy?" I questioned, hooking one leg over the other

The Henshaw before me smirked darkly "only if he can come back from the dead."

"Oh, so there's a chance," I nodded thoughtful before asking "what has the DEO decided to do about the Lanterns' offer to Supergirl about allying with Oa?"

Henshaw raised a dark eyebrow "you have no problems with me?" I shook my head "really?"

"Yep," I nodded "there are far worse things out there than what you're doing. It doesn't break any of the Oa's laws so I don't have a problem."

"Don't you care about Earth's laws?" he snarked

"Nope, I'm not employed to enforce those," I shrugged "maybe if the governments of earth allied with Oa…maybe but still no."

He nodded before asking "and if you were to ally with us? What then?"

"Then it would be up to the discretion of my superiors," I informed him "I'm really hoping that you all have agreed to the offer, it would make working here in National City easier. I've been assigned to the city because of Lar-On's threat."

Henshaw smirked "I would rather have you under my watch then let you run around the city; helps keep this place secret if I know what you're doing. Supergirl advocated for the co-operation and I agree. How well my superiors in D.C. are going to like it is questionable," he sighed heavily as he leaned forward "you'll need to fill out forms, legal stuff for you to be our liaison with the Green Lantern Corps. We will pay you."

"That'd be nice, actually, won't lie…" I leaned forward and whispered "being a Lantern isn't a positive on a resume. I haven't had a regular job since I was in college," Henshaw chuckled about that with me "so, would it be possible to keep my real name out of your records? Not that I really have anyone, ya know, family to protect or anything it's just…"

"When you're in the suit your strictly a Green Lantern?" he parroted my words from our first meeting "sorry, but I can classify them if you'd like."

"That'd be dandy, Director," well, it was just partially what I wanted and that'd have to do.

"I'll get those forms for you to fill out, come back tomorrow morning."

That as an obvious dismissal because the man went back to his paperwork. Agent Vasquez was happy to hear that I would be working with the DEO. That's when she told me that she had been friends with Kyle Rayner before he'd become a Lantern. They'd gone to high school together. I was going to have to get her to give me stories on the man.

We were heading out of the DEO when Supergirl arrived. She looked frazzled and overly surprised to see me again but greeted me with a stout handshake when she thought herself out of the hug she'd almost given me. When Supergirl found out that Agent Danvers wasn't in, she asked me to go flying with her.

***GL***

The end of the flight found us sitting on top of CatCo eating ice cream that we'd had gotten for free after stopping an armed robbery at Supergirl's favorite ice cream shop. We were sitting on the edge, looking out over the city. Supergirl was right, this was the best ice cream I'd ever had.

"How did you become a Green Lantern?" Supergirl asked toying with her cup of frozen dairy

I shrugged "the ring chose me and at first, I thought it had made a mistake," I smiled ruefully at the memory "I argued with my mentor. Greens are supposed to have strong wills and I didn't think I had one. I was a loner…am a loner…sort of."

"What did your family think?" the blonde Kryptonian wanted to know "or do they not know?"

I had to laugh at that "I haven't talked to my family in ten years and I highly doubt they'd care so…" I shrugged "my best friend knows and is aware of where I am. I think she tracks me with a tracer, to be honest. My former roommate was always snarky about me coming home bruised up but I think that was her way of caring."

"So, do you have anyone in National City?" Supergirl asked worriedly

I shook my head "nope, Lena is in Metropolis and Harley is back in Gotham."

"Huh…" Supergirl made an unhappy grunting noise before she stuck her hand out to me "my name is Kara Zor-El or Kara Danvers here on Earth," she smiled at me "now you have someone in National City. I'll be your friend and introduce you to my Super Friends…"

"Ugh…" I hesitantly shook her hand as I let my suit drop to reveal myself "I'm Nadine Pickett. I don't mind meeting your friends but I'm not sure about them knowing I'm a Lantern," Kara finally let my hand go "not that I care I just…" yea, I was really uncomfortable with the prospect of meeting her friends.

"Uneasy about it?" she asked knowingly and I nodded "not easy letting new people in, I can totally understand that…" she paused and looked back towards the door to the roof "you should put your suit back on, Ms. Grant is coming."

I had the suit back on and we were standing when Cat Grant came through the door onto the roof. She was chatting on her cell phone, carrying her bag and jacket over her arm; she looked annoyed. Ms. Grant faltered when she saw us standing at the edge of the helipad.

"Anderson, I'm going to have to call you back," she ended her call and raised an eyebrow up and over the edge of her sunglasses "Supergirl, what are you doing? Having a superhero convention on my roof?" she eyed our ice cream cups "oh, just girls and their ice cream, how very millennial," she huffed "well, you're going to have to take it somewhere else. I'm waiting on a helicopter, I've a meeting in Central City that I don't want to be late to because of loitering superheroes. Though I would like an interview with you, Green…whatever…when I get back."

"Me?" I asked surprised and pointed towards myself

"Ugh…" Ms. Grant shook her head "yes of course you, do you see Supergirl in green?" she huffed and made shooing motions at us "now, go find something productive to do, save some orphans or something, chop, chop!"

***GL***

Hanging out with Kara at her apartment just being Nadine was weird and uncomfortable in the beginning. However, Kara's naturally bubbly self was hard to resist and I found myself relaxing whilst being drawn into her shinny orbit. We were sitting on her couch eating pizza, watching TV while she was spouting idea about how we meet.

"Why not keep it simple?" I asked sneaking another slice of sausage and onion "we bumped into each other while getting coffee and geeked out over this," I held up my phone, it was a gift from Lena and the new model of the Luthor cellphones. Kara had geeked out over when she seen it "I do inventing in my free time and you had questions as you like science and could understand what I was spouting. Nothing of that is a lie expect the coffee bit."

Kara thought about and grinned "I like it, so it's nice to have someone who actually wants to speak tech with me. I was a prodigy on Krypton you know, in the science guild. Literally born to it. Alex doesn't like speaking tech with me because I'm supposed to be normal."

"Alex?" I frowned questioningly "boyfriend? Girlfriend?"

Kara wrinkled up her nose "ewww…no, she's my sister. She works at the DEO, she threatened you with a gun. That ring a bell?"

"Oh, the angry agent, gotcha," I nodded in understanding "what's her deal anyways? She's kind of scary."

"I thought Green's weren't supposed to feel fear?" Kara asked with a chuckle

I shrugged "nah, we fixed that."

"You know," Kara said after a while "you should join us for Thanksgiving. There's only going to be a small group of us and it'd help you to start feeling more comfortable with my friends. I mean…unless you already have plans, which is totally possible," she sputtered, waving her hands about "I didn't mean to imply that you didn't have plans, you could totally have plans…"

I stopped her and chuckled "thank you for the invite. No, I do not have plans. Lena had a family thing and I'm pretty sure that Harley still wants to stab me for leaving."

Kara's eyebrows shot up "okay, wow…really?" she asked "she wants to stab you?"

I nodded "pretty sure," and shrugged "not the first time she wanted to stab me. First time was when I brought a girl home and she stayed overnight. Harley liked sneaking into my room to watch TV on my computer, like a safety net for her I guess. Didn't like that she couldn't do that."

"Why didn't you move?" Kara demanded

I shrugged "because I liked Harley. She was protective of me in her own way and didn't mind me having walls. She didn't mind the quiet or my lab being the kitchen table. Harley would never actually stab me…fatally anyways."

Kara snorted "well, you need better friends," she smiled broadly then "and I'm going to help you."

Oh, man…what have the Guardians got me into this time?