Chapter One
"You are so full of it," laughed Kara Danvers. She was sitting at Noonan's enjoying breakfast with her older sister."Deny it all you want Alex, that was a date. I can't even believe you can sit there, and deny it after everything that came out of your mouth."
"It was not a date, can we drop this already?"
"No no no, we're not dropping it. Not until you call it what it was," she smiled.
"We went out for dinner and had drinks. We're roommates, we eat and drink together all the time. Sometimes at home, sometimes out in public. It was not a date, we're just friends, end of story, please shut up."
The sisters had been there for the better part of an hour, going back and forth about a few random things. It had become somewhat of a morning ritual of theirs. Breakfast at Noonan's before they headed off to work together.
"Your cheeks are so red right now, it's not even funny," said Kara, before taking the final bite of her third sticky bun. She noticed a close friend heading in their direction."Here comes James, he'll crack you….I'm telling him."
"No, Kara….", warned Alex."Leave him out of it!"
"Ladies," greeted James, before kissing them both on the cheek, and taking a seat next to Kara."Uh-oh, I smell a debate. What's up?"
"Nothing. Kara won't stop talking, same shit, different day."
"Her and Astra went on a date last night, but she refuses to admit it."
"It was just an...outing. A friendly one."
James smiled before shaking his head."Alright...let's do this," he laughed, looking at Alex."Attire?"
"Excuse me," she asked.
"What were you guys wearing on this...outing?"
"We were both wearing all black."
"Black what though?"
Alex shot her sister a rueful look, before sighing in defeat."Dresses, we were both wearing black dresses."
Kara sat back in her chair, with a huge grin across her face. She could read her older sister like a book, and there was just something fun about playing little games with her. Especially when her friends got involved. She knew James would trap her with his questions somehow, no matter how obvious it already was.
"Did you guys go out to eat?" Alex nodded."Where?"
"Speranza."
"Ooooo, Italian….nice. Alright, did you pay for your own meals?"
"No," she breathed."She paid for the food, and the drinks. That means nothing, we both treat each other sometimes."
"Well, who's idea was it to go out...because if was hers and she paid for the meal…."
"It was her idea, but that doesn't mean anything. We both love that restaurant. She's weirdly obsessed with their house made salad dressing, and I would literally take a person's life for just one of their breadsticks." The woman was getting overly defensive, and was angry at herself for not being able to reel it in."Can we please, please drop this? We need to get to work."
"I'm almost done, bare with me," he laughed."Nobody should be that eager about going to work. Not even people who get paid to be badasses."
Alex looked at her sister."You wouldn't shut up five minutes ago, now you have nothing to say?"
"Stop using me as a distraction," she laughed."That's what I have to say."
"Listen, I only have a few more questions, I promise."
"Oh my God," she laughed."You two are ridiculous, but fine. Let's get this over with already."
"Okay, what did you do after dinner?"
"We went to the park and walked around talking for about...two hours. After that, we went home, watched a movie, then went to our very separate bedrooms."
James looked at Kara and laughed a little before looking back at Alex."Before you two went your separate ways, what movie did you watch?"
"The Fifth Element."
"The whole thing?"
"Yeah."
"Like start to finish?"
"Yes!"
"Who kissed who?"
"I kissed her…..damn it." She laughed and looked to her lap.
"I knew it," exclaimed Kara."I knew it, I knew it, and I love it!"
"Well, I'll give it to you Alex, that wasn't a date...it was the damn honeymoon. Congratulations."
The younger sister burst into laughter at that point, and Alex, who couldn't manage to stop smiling, shook her head.
"It wasn't just the half assed explanation you were trying to give that made it obvious," he went on."From what Kara told me, you had a slow and uneventful work day, so there was that. It was nice out last night, and your foster kid is away at camp. Why wouldn't you have taken advantage of all that?"
"You know what? Fine, it was date. Whatever. Excuse me for feeling like it's a little weird. She's your Aunt, Kara."
"Hey, I already told you that it doesn't bother me. You're the one who feels all weird about it, not me," Kara defended."I think you two are so cute together, and bonus….you make each other happy."
James nodded in agreement."You two do make a nice looking couple. Don't feel weird about anything, Alex. Get your girl, live your life."
"Isn't that kind of strange coming from a married man," asked Alex.
"No," said Kara, shaking her head."It makes sense coming from him, for that exact reason. Also, we really should get to work, because I just realized what time it is."
Alex glanced down at her phone."Oh wow, yeah." She stood from her chair, grabbing her coffee.
"Yup, it's about that time," said James, as he stood."Off to the wonderful world of Armstrong Worldwide Media." He accepted a quick hug from Kara before leaning over and hugging Alex."Married life, am I right? Tell the wife I say hi."
She shoved him away."Oh, shut up."
As the three of them headed outside, it started to drizzle a little."Crap, I forgot that it was supposed to rain to today," griped Alex."That really sucks."
"Relax, it's not exactly a down pour just yet," smiled James."Why are you hating on the rain?"
"Have you ever had to chase a Veleronian in the rain? No, no you haven't," she said, a sarcastic smile on her face.
"We really need to go, every time Hank yells at us for being late, it feels like we're about to get grounded," said Kara."James, meet here for lunch?"
"Yeah, sounds good. I'll see if Winn wants to join, but he'll probably be too busy."Kara nodded."You two be careful today, be safe."
After a very long day, Kara found herself at Alex and Astra's apartment. The three of them had just settled onto the couch, a gigantic white, down comforter covering them. An entire coffee table full of a snacks, and beverages placed before them.
"You guys better not do anything gross under this blanket while I'm sitting here," said Kara."Actually, let's switch spots, Alex. I can be a like...a wall or something."
"You know what," laughed Alex."It's really time to stop now, Kara. All day with your nonsense, yet you wonder why I didn't want to admit anything."
Astra smiled."Little One, you have nothing to worry about. This blanket is safe."
The Hero looked over at her Aunt with suspicion."Why did you say...this….like that? Wait...which blankets aren't safe and why wouldn't they be?"
Astra was laughing too much to answer, so Alex did."She's messing with you, and even if she wasn't...would you really want to know?"
"Not a chance, no."
"I didn't think so," laughed Alex."Alright, so what movie are we watching?"
"Armageddon," answered Kara, with a huge smile on her face.
Alex sighed, and looked over at Astra."It's not my fault, Brave One. It's her night to pick."
"Kara, this movie destroys all of us, and I've managed to go all day without crying uncontrollably. Let's not ruin that, pretty please?"
"Come on, this movie is amazing, can we please watch it?" She stuck her bottom lip out, and made crying puppy noises.
"And, there it is," breathed the older sister. She pinched Kara's cheek."You win, that face is my kryptonite."
"If that was true, you'd be dead by now, my Brave One," smiled Astra.
Soon enough, the three women sat, eyes glued to the flat screen, snacks in hand. Kara devouring a slice of pizza, Alex shoveling down ice cream, and Astra dipping double stuffed Oreo cookies into a jar of peanut butter.
Kara kept glancing sadly over at her sister, who was snuggled up to Astra. She went as long as she could without saying anything, but failed to stay quiet."I support your relationship, I really do...but...this is so not fair."
"What's the matter," asked Alex, with actual concern.
"You usually snuggle with me,"she pouted.
"Kara, oh my God," she laughed, her concern vanishing just like that."You are the only Superhero in this world that can put out two fires, save a bus full of children, and stop a helicopter crash, all in one day….then manage to get upset over snuggles."
"Be nice, Alex," warned Astra."She has a point. Usually I snuggle with Shadow when we watch movies."
"See, I didn't abandon you….I'm just a substitute for the snuggle buddy that's away at camp."
"Fair enough," said Kara."But I get Alex back next movie night, or else I'm stealing Shadow."
"Deal," smiled the older Kryptonian.
The next afternoon, Kara was sitting in National City's most beautiful and beloved park. It was where she liked to spend most of her Saturdays. The Hero would take her sketchbook, and sit on a bench in one of the quieter areas of the park. She could easily sit and sketch for hours, but given that she had super duties, it rarely ever happened.
It was a nice Summer day, the kind of day that only elevated Kara's mood. It was sunny, it was nice and warm, and she was sketching. There was a cinnamon swirl smoothie by her side, and smile on her face. She wasn't entirely sure when it had happened, but when she went to sip her drink, she noticed that she had company. She glanced to her right, and there was a woman with shoulder length blonde hair, sitting on the opposite end of the bench. It looked like she was writing a letter, and she seemed to be in deep thought. Kara wanted to be friendly, but she decided not to bother her.
A minute went by, before she found herself looking back at her out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't help it, the woman was captivating. The Hero smiled when a slight breeze blew through, she could smell the woman's perfume. She thought it was cute how the wavy blonde locks on the left side of her head, were kind of tucked away behind her ear. She admired how concentrated she seemed to be. There was one word that came to Kara's mind at the moment.
Graceful.
When the woman went to drink from her water bottle, Kara's attention was immediately back on her sketchbook. She continued to move her pencil about, only until the woman spoke out.
"No, damn it," breathed the woman, shaking her pen."Please not now….."
"Are you alright," asked Kara.
"No. I mean...yes I'm fine. It's just my pen. The ink is running out."
"Oh, I can help you with that," smiled Kara, before reaching into her bag, and digging for a pen. When she found one, she handed to her."Here you go."
"You're very kind, thank you." She looked up, as she took the pen. Their eyes finally met, and Kara smiled warmly."I appreciate it."
"It's no problem at all. She squinted a little, while slightly tilting her head."I'm sorry, but have we met before? You look kind of familiar."
"I get that a lot," she sighed."If I look familiar to people, it's only because of my husband."
Kara thought she would continue by saying who her husband was, but she didn't. She got quiet again, and went back to writing her letter.
"I see. Well, I will keep quiet and let you get back to writing."
"Oh," she said, looking back up."I apologize, I don't mean to be short with you. It's just….I'm writing a letter to my son."
"You have a son, that's sweet."
"Yes, he means the world to me," the blonde smiled, before drinking from her water bottle."Do you have any children?"
"No, I don't, but I do love kids. Some friends of mine just had a baby two months ago, and they named me her Godmother. Also, my sister has a foster daughter."
"Well, that's lovely. If you never have any children of your own, at least you have some in your life. It's important to pass on our knowledge to the young minds that will remain once we're gone." A few tears fell from her eyes, causing Kara to be instantly concerned.
"Oh no, I'm sorry, did I say something to upset you?"
"No, no….I'm fine. I'm just having a rather emotional day," she said, dabbing at her eyes."Honestly, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"The woman looked at the Hero as though she wanted to say something. As though she was desperate to say something. Kara placed her hand on the woman's shoulder."Look, I know that you don't really know me, but my name is Kara. I have a feeling that you're in some kind of trouble. Are you?"
"I….uh...no. No, I'm just really needing to finish this letter. Thank you so much for your concern." She smiled slightly, before getting back to writing.
Kara wanted to say something else, but her ears picked up the sound of screaming from another part of the city."I have to go tend to something, but….I'll be back." Before the woman could answer, she was running clear across the park. Twenty minutes and a failed bank robbery later, Kara was hurrying back towards the bench. She was nervous that the woman wouldn't be there. Upon seeing her sitting in the same spot, she breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"Oh, Thank God. You're still here."
"Well, I do need to be on my way fairly soon….however, you left your bag and sketch book behind. I didn't want anybody to steal them."
"Thank you," said Kara, as the woman stood to her feet."If you have somewhere to go, I won't stop you...it's just...is everything alright?"
She smiled adoringly at the Hero."It will be...very soon." Kara just nodded."It was nice to meet you, Kara. Here, you may have your pen back, and please enjoy the rest of your day." She was walking away, fumbling with a pair of sunglasses, before Kara even had a chance to respond.
"I will," she called out."Enjoy yours too."
The entire encounter was on her mind for the rest of the day. She was worried, but more than anything else, she was mesmerized.
Later that night, Kara was back in her own apartment. She hadn't felt exactly right all day, so when James and Lucy came over for dinner, their baby girl in tow, it cheered Kara right up. They hadn't started eating just yet, because Winn was running late, as he often did. So, they hung out in the living room, the baby in Kara's arms.
"Oh my God, I feel like crying every single time I hold her," she sniffled.
"Kara, you have cried every single time you've held her," laughed Lucy, sipping from her glass of red wine."If you don't stop, Paisley is going to grow up thinking that she makes her Godmother sad."
"No no," said the Hero, softly. She was smiling down at Paisley."This little ball of cuteness could never make me said. Not you...never you."
"So finish telling us about this woman you met in the park," said James."What was her name?"
"She never told me what her name was, but to be fair...I never asked. She was...something…I mean, I could barely concentrate on my drawing once I noticed her."
Lucy leaned forward from her chair."What did she look like," she asked like an excited teenager."Was she pretty?"
"Lucy, she was beautiful….but that wasn't the only reason I was drawn to her."
"You did say that you thought she was in some kind of trouble," said James."Maybe that's a reason, you do tend to know when people need saving."
"Ooooo...excellent point, Hubby, that is very true."
"I honestly have no idea what to think, but I do know that I will be visiting the park as often as I can now." Paisley started to fuss slightly in her arms."Oh, don't worry cuteness, Auntie Kara will take you to the park one day."
James smiled, and stood up."She probably needs to be changed."
There was a knock on the door, as Kara carefully, and lovingly handed the baby to James."Perfect timing, that's probably Winn." She stood up, and headed for the door.
After dinner, Winn had to head back to the Armstrong building to finish some more work. Kara felt bad that he was so tired, so she offered to fly him back. She made sure to land towards the back of the building so she wasn't seen. Once they were on the ground, he laughed.
"Now that I've actually conquered my fear of heights, the flying thing isn't so scary anymore."
"I knew you'd start to like it eventually," she smiled."Are you sure you need to be back here? It's so late, Winn. Plus it's Saturday night."
"Listen, it was a given that being a personal assistant to the Media King of National City was going to consume my life. Yet, I still took the job. You don't have to worry about me. Besides, Dirk isn't even here, he's gone home. Which means, when I'm done with my work, I get to game out on the one hundred and two inch flat screen in his office. My weekend will not lack fun."
The Hero laughed, and shook her head."Alright, well don't sit too close to the screen. Call me if you need anything." She hugged him tight.
"I will. See you later, bestie. Thanks for the ride." With that, he was headed towards the front of the building.
Kara was about to take flight when she heard noise coming from the alley a few feet away from where she was standing. It sounded like somebody was stumbling around, and possibly crying. She hurried over and cautiously stepped into the dark alley. She stayed quiet, and didn't say anything in fear of scaring somebody off. She hated alleys. It didn't matter how super she was, dark alleys made her nervous.
A few more steps in, she stopped dead in her tracks and her jaw dropped.
The woman from the park was leaned up against the building, crying her eyes out,the barrel of a gun resting on her temple. Kara heard the sound of the gun being cocked, and called out."No!" It had startled the woman, but she didn't even look at Kara."Please….do not pull that trigger."