Disclaimer: I don't own Supergirl or the characters. This is written purely for fun.
A/N: This is set in Season 4. I will try to include events on the show where I can, but it might diverge fairly rapidly. The Kryptonite atmosphere is not an issue, either because they have figured out a mitigation or because it hasn't happened yet. It is written in response to several requests from a Guest reviewer to explore what may happen if Ruby gets powers. It will be angsty.
Synopsis: As Alex and Kara struggle in an ever hostile world, Sam and Ruby return to National City seeking help when Ruby starts to display powers.
As Alex sipped her coffee she was surprised to hear a knock on her door. Knowing Kara would have just barged in she grabbed her sidearm and went to the door. Seeing who it was as she looked through the peep hole left her feeling both confused and happy. Carefully putting the gun in the drawer she opened the door and was nearly tackled to the ground.
"Alex!" Ruby said enthusiastically as she hugged her.
"Hey." Alex replied before looking over Ruby at Sam who apologised.
"Sorry for just dropping in on you. I should have call first."
"It's fine. You're always welcome. But I am kinda surprised to see you. Is everything okay?" Alex asked as she hugged Ruby.
"Um-" Sam started only for another person to enter the apartment.
"Sam! What are you doing here?" Kara asked as she hugged her.
"Just visiting." Sam replied.
"Did we know you were coming?" Kara asked confused.
"No. It's a surprise visit." Sam said.
"Is everything okay?"
"It's fine." Sam said, lying so badly even Kara could tell she wasn't telling the truth.
"Seeing I haven't gone shopping for ages I'll run out and get some coffees." Alex started.
"And sticky buns?" Kara asked.
"And sticky buns." Alex agreed before looking down at Ruby. "Want to come with me?"
"Can I?" Ruby asked Sam.
"Sure." Sam agreed.
-00-
"So why are you two really here?" Alex asked Ruby as they walked along.
"She's worried about me." Ruby confessed.
"Why? Has something happened? Does the FBI need to pay another visit to a school bully?"
"Nothing like that." Ruby said smiling at the memory.
"Then what's wrong?" Alex asked.
"Weird things have been happening."
"Weird how?" Alex asked wondering if they had been wrong about Reign disappearing.
"I've been sleepwalking. It's kinda freaked mom out."
"How long has it been happening?"
"A few weeks."
"Every night?"
"No. But once was enough to freak mom out." Ruby said.
"Any other weird things?" Alex asked.
"I've been hearing things."
"Things?"
"Voices." Ruby confessed. Seeing Alex's expression she quickly added. "But it's okay I'm not crazy. They're real voices. From actual people, who just happen to be far away."
"How far?" Alex asked.
"Like those two over there." She said pointing to a couple on the far side of the park.
"You can hear them?" Alex asked.
"Every word."
"What has your mom said?"
"I haven't told her. She's already freaking out about the sleepwalking."
"You need to tell her." Alex said. "Plus she probably already knows and is freaking out because you haven't told her."
-00-
"Sorry to take so long." Lena said as Kara let her into the apartment. "I got the message but then realised I had no idea where Alex lived."
"I'm the one who is sorry. I shouldn't have dragged you away from your Saturday." Sam said.
"You haven't dragged me anywhere." Lena assured her as she hugged her. "Where's Ruby?"
"Out with Alex, getting coffee and sticky buns." Kara explained.
"No prizes for guessing your contribution to that order." Lena teased her friend. She then looked at Sam and asked.
"So what brings you to National City? Is Ruby okay?"
"Yes. No. I don't know. I mean I hope so." Sam said as she paced.
"What's happened?" Lena asked.
"I think she is developing powers."
"Powers?" Kara asked. "Like Superpowers?"
"Yes." Sam said.
"Which powers exactly?" Kara asked.
"Hearing." Sam said. "She is hearing things she shouldn't be able to."
"That's annoying." Kara said. Noticing the others looking at her she added. "I mean I imagine it's really annoying not being able to block out sounds. Hearing everything. Never getting peace and quiet."
"Not sure your overly vivid description is making Sam feel better." Lena pointed out.
"Sorry." Kara apologised.
"It's fine." Sam said.
"Yet you are here, looking stressed." Lena pointed out.
"If she is getting powers, now really isn't a good time with all the alien haters. What if someone figures out who I was? They'll go after Ruby and burn her at a stake."
"That isn't going to happen." Kara said. "We won't let it."
"There's something else." Sam said.
"What?"
"She's sleepwalking." Sam said.
"Okay." Lena said causing Sam to go on.
"What if it isn't sleepwalking? What if it is like when Reign took control of me?"
"Sam, you need to take breath." Lena said. "Sleepwalking is not uncommon."
"I know, but it started around the time her hearing got really good. Only she hasn't told me about her hearing. Why would she hide that from me? She used to tell me everything?"
"Perhaps she didn't want you freaking out?" Lena suggested.
"Do you think I'm freaking out?" Sam asked.
"Um, yes." Kara and Lena replied.
"But that is totally understandable." Kara went on. "You want to keep her safe."
"I do." Sam said.
-00-
"You were right." Ruby said as she rode the elevator up to Alex's apartment.
"Well yeah." Alex joked. "But what in particular was I right about?"
"Mom knows about my hearing and is freaking out because I didn't tell her."
"Which you know how?" Alex asked.
"I may have accidentally listened to the conversation they are having." Ruby confessed.
"Accidentally huh?" Alex asked amused.
"Kind of." Ruby said as the elevator pinged to a stop.
"Come on. Let's go stop your mom freaking out." Alex said leading her to the apartment. Opening the door she let Ruby enter first before following and putting the coffees down.
"So Ruby filled me in, on everything, Including the hearing." Alex said jumping straight in.
"Sorry I didn't tell you, I didn't want you to freak out even more." Ruby apologised.
"I just worry about you." Sam said hugging her.
"Which is why we should do some tests." Lena said. "Find out what powers you are developing so your mom doesn't have a complete meltdown."
"I agree." Alex said before asking Lena. "Can we run them at L-Corp?"
"Not the DEO?" Lena asked.
"No. With everything that is happening we are being watched very closely. I don't want anyone to find out about Ruby."
"L-Corp it is. But we need to bolster security." Lena agreed.
"Let me know what you need." Alex said.
-TBC...
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing.