DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

3. IMPORTANT: This is going to be a little different style for me. Rather than one single plot, this are going to be, essentially, a series of oneshots, each with a different title. The length of each chapter/part will vary, sometimes quite short, sometimes longer. As of yet there's no definitive endpoint - I'll just see how it goes.

4. VITAL: The Supergirl in this story is NOT Kara Zor-El. Instead, she's the post-Crisis Matrix Supergirl. My main reason for this is, in my personal DC fanfic universe, Superman/Kal-El is the only survivor of Krypton. No Kandor, no Argo, no Phantom Zone... and no cousin. I'll leave it to you to look her up on Wikipedia or wherever, but here's a brief rundown of this Girl of Steel's powers - strength, telekinesis (which enables her to fly), invisibility and shapeshifting (though drastic changes in form are painful for her). I've not gone for her later ability of fire wings. However, while I've chosen to use the Matrix incarnation, I've altered her origin. Instead of an artificial construct from a pocket dimension, Matrix (or Mae-Trix) is from a planet of shapeshifters. But she still spent time with Luthor, and was raised in the ways of Earth by the Kents. Hopefully, these choices won't put all of you off straight away, and you'll still be able to enjoy this.

BUTTERFLIES

As she soared through the sky, Supergirl hoped she was doing the right thing. It certainly was not the most conventional. But she had to try, because if there was one thing she learnt since being on Earth, it was not to waste time.

She looked down at the ground several thousand feet below her as country began to give way to urbanisation. Supergirl lowered her altitude so by the time she was just a hundred feet or so in the air, she could read the giant sign at the gateway to the large town.

"FAWCETT CITY - PROUD HOME OF THE MARVEL FAMILY"

Supergirl effortlessly flew between the oldfashioned cityscape and buildings, heading for a specific locale. Being noticed was not a concern: she was currently invisible, to avoid unwanted attention. It might be strange for the local Whiz Radio to report Metropolis' Girl of Steel visited the small city. And this whole escapade could blow up in her face. Supergirl would rather avoid embarrassment if at all possible.

Eventually the shapeshifter reached her goal: Fawcett University. After a few minutes roaming the outside, scanning the windows, she saw what she was after. Or rather, who. Making herself visible, Supergirl steeled herself and grit her teeth. She felt an odd sensation in her tummy, but ignored it as she tentatively tapped on the window.

The brunette girl in the dorm room within spun her head at the sound. Her eyes widened as she recognised the heroine. Putting her exam book down, she dashed to the window and opened it. "Supergirl? What are you doing here?"

"Um," the blonde adventurer stuttered, "can I come in?"

"Of course, of course!" Mary Batson stepped back to allow Supergirl to glide smoothly into the room. "Is something wrong? Do you need help?"

"No, no," said Supergirl. "I, er, came to see you."

"Me?" The seventeen-year-old was clearly surprised. "Well, OK. We can catch Billy at the station. Sha... !"

"Wait!" yelped Supergirl, stopping Mary mid-cry. "It's not like that!"

Mary frowned. "I don't understand. Supergirl, what is it?"

Supergirl smiled sweetly. "First of all, please - call me Mae. And I came to... er... ask if you wanted to... " - how did Humans put it? - "... go out."

"You mean... like a girlie day?" Mary blinked, still perplexed.

"Well, not exactly." Supergirl held the back of her head. "I was thinking more like... well, y'see... " She blushed.

There was silence for a moment, then Mary gasped. "Oh!" Her mouth opened and shut a few times in shock. "Holy moley. Well, I, er, um... I didn't know you were... that is... "

"Yes," Supergirl responded simply. "And we've worked together a few times in the past, and we've always got on, and... you're very pretty, and I just thought... maybe... " She stopped at Mary's reddened cheeks.

"Thank you," the student said, eyes down in embarrassment. "But wait... how do you know I... ?"

"Well, your brother told Stargirl," the shapeshifter explained. "And Stargirl told Powergirl, and Powergirl... " She paused again at Mary's expression, now a deep scowl. "I'll stop talking."

"Billy, the darn gossip," pouted Mary.

"I'm sorry," said Supergirl, raising her hand. This was a mistake. "I didn't mean to upset you. Never mind, just... forget I was here. I'm sorry I disturbed you." She lifted off the ground and turned back to the window, trying to ignore her disappointment.

"Wait!" came Mary's voice. "Please wait." Supergirl stopped midair, and looked over her shoulder to see Mary smile sweetly. "I'd love to."

Supergirl gasped. "Really?"

"My last class finishes at five," said Mary. "Maybe we could... meet up after that."

"That would be lovely," sighed Supergirl. "We can do whatever you want. Dinner... or perhaps a moving picture presentation."

Mary giggled. "Howabout you meet me here at, say, six - and we'll see what happens?"

"I'd like that," the Girl of Steel whispered. "I'll see you at six, then." With a final, somewhat-awkward goodbye, Supergirl made herself invisible once more and flew out the window. As she rose into the sky, her stomach felt that strange sensation again. What did Karen call it?

Ah, yes - butterflies.

Supergirl's mind raced at thinking about what she had just started...