Chapter Three


As Kara sat in the park, sketch book in her lap, an almost empty a smoothie by her side, she grew nervous. It was almost one o'clock, and Carter told her that they would meet her at noon. She was starting to think that he had changed his mind. Or that maybe something bad could have happened. Regardless, she was feeling rather distressed. She was worried, and couldn't help but think the worst. She couldn't help it, as much as she wanted to stay positive, she couldn't. The state she had left Cat the night before, and the conversation between her and the young boy earlier that morning, were weighing on her. It had taken some very heavy convincing on her part to get him to agree to the meeting. Even though he had called her.

A few more minutes passed by, before her worries subsided, and she smiled. She saw the Mother and son walking in her direction.

The Hero expected Cat to look tired, or hungover, only she didn't. She looked quite put together, dawning casual attire, makeup done to perfection, and a smile on her face. The exact opposite of a woman who had attempted to drunkenly end her own life the night before. Carter, dressed in a somewhat casual yet athletic outfit, one arm linked with his Mother. His body language gave didn't just give away how much he cared for her. The boy was clearly protective of the woman, and it was something to admire.

As they got closer to the bench that had Kara told Carter she'd be waiting on, she stood up and approached them.

"Hello," she greeted, with a warm smile.

"Oh, hi," smiled Cat, remembering Kara from the morning before. She seemed genuinely happy to see her.

"Are you...Kara," asked Carter."

She nodded."That's me. You must be Cat and Carter."

"Hold on, how do you know my son," asked Cat.

"Mom….this is Supergirl's friend," the boy said, with caution."Remember….we talked about it this morning…."

"Carter, I told you that I didn't want to do this," she said. She sounded more dismal than angry."You've been with me all morning, when did you even get a chance to call her?"

"While you were showering," he admitted."Please don't be mad at me, I just thought maybe you could use somebody to talk to."

Kara smiled. His concern was sad, yet sweet in a way. His demeanor made her want to speak up.

"To be fair, I was kind of pushy when he called me. He was very nervous about this, but I talked him into it."

"I apologize," said Cat."I'm not trying to be rude in any way, I just wasn't expecting this to happen. Even if was, I never would have guessed that it would be…..you….that we were meeting."

"Wait, do you know her, Mom," asked Carter, a look of confusion plastered on his face.

"We met yesterday, sweetheart. Here in this very park, on that exact bench, and I wasn't aware that she was Supergirl's pal."

"I promise, this is a huge coincidence," reassured Kara, as she adjusted her glasses."I know how weird this seems, but I honestly just want to help."

Cat smiled at Kara, she couldn't help it. There was something about the young woman that made her feel at ease.

A couple of minutes later, the three of them were sitting on the bench. Cat seated in between her son, and their new friend, drinking from a portable coffee mug.

"So are you like a counselor or something like that," asked Carter."A life coach maybe?"

The Hero didn't want to lie, but she knew that she couldn't be completely honest either. She decided to go with the cover that her sister had come up with for her. An explanation that was half only half true.

"No, actually I'm an Artist. I'm also training to be an F.B.I agent," she smiled, knowing the reaction she would get.

"No freaking way," laughed Carter."That's awesome! No wonder Supergirl is friends with you! An F.B.I agent?"

"Are you really," asked Cat.

"Yeah, it kind of runs in the family, my sister and my aunt are agents," she laughed."Even my niece wants to be an agent."

"Well, I never would have guessed that about you. The artist part, yes, but never the F.B.I bit," said Cat."Are you sure this is just about doing Supergirl a favor, or is my husband being watched by the government?"

"No, she really did ask me to meet with you two."

"Mom, maybe she could get Supergirl to kick Dirk in the balls, and send him into outer space."

"Carter Grant," the mother scolded.

"Sorry," he laughed."It was just a suggestion."

"It was an unacceptable suggestion, also very vulgar."

"Unacceptable, and vulgar….two things that fit his personality so well," said Carter."I stand by my suggestion, Mom. No regrets."

The mother and son went back and forth for a minute, not realizing that Kara was listening. Though, the Hero was listening, she was also observing. Her concentration was mostly on Cat. She found herself noticing how the sun illuminated her beautiful blonde hair. How graceful her movements were, even as she argued with her son.

A second later, another teenage boy was jogging over to the bench holding a soccer ball."Hey! Carter, what's up, man?"

"Joshua," Carter smiled, standing up, and greeting his friend with a slap to his hand. It was obvious that he was happy to see the other boy."How's your Summer going so far, long time no see!"

"Right? I haven't seen you since Summer break started. Me and the guys are about to get a game going over there….we're short a player, you feel like jumping in?"

"Um, I don't know…", he answered, looking over at his Mother."I'm kind of here with my Mom."

"Joshua Holden, how are you," Cat asked, with a smile.

"I'm fine, thank you for asking Mrs. Armstrong."

"Carter, go ahead and play soccer for a little while, I'll be fine."

Carter looked over at Kara, who smiled warmly at him. For some reason that he didn't truly understand, his trust in Kara made itself known. He smiled back at her, before leaning down and kissing Cat on the cheek."I won't be far. Love you."

"I love you too, honey." She watched happily, as he ran off with his friend."See, he's not the only who can make plans on the sly."

"What do you mean?"

"He hasn't seen any friends this Summer, because he spends so much time with me, or by himself. Whenever I suggest he call somebody and make plans, he makes up an excuse," she sighed."So after he told me that he wanted to come to the park, I messaged Joshua. I told him not to let Carter know that I asked, and he said that he wouldn't."

"Clever," giggled Kara."You're obviously just as sneaky as your son is."

"I can be," she smiled, sipping her coffee. She was oddly content with the younger woman, and decided to embrace the comfortable and warm feeling."Just because I'm a wreck, doesn't mean that he should drift away from his friends."

"The way you were talking about him yesterday….it makes more sense now. He seems like such a great kid," said Kara."How old is he?"

"He's fourteen, but mature for his age," she said, proudly."He's gifted, I am so proud of how smart he is." She looked over at the other woman, who was already looking at her."What, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Your smile when you talk about him...I just can't get over it."

"I can't help it," she laughed."He's…"

"Your whole world," asked Kara, with a smile.

She nodded."Exactly."

"Is your husband not his Father? I'm only asking because he called him Dirk….and you called him Carter Grant."

"No, he's not. Which is a blessing in my opinion."She sipped her coffee again."Carter cannot stand Dirk."

"It doesn't really sound like you can stand him either, to be honest. I mean, if you're staying in a hotel suite, obviously something is wrong."Kara rested her hand on Cat's knee."Does your husband hurt you?"

"Well, she certainly told you a lot didn't she?"

"Who?"

"Supergirl…"

"Oh! Oh...yeah, I mean… she's very concerned about you. Seeing you so upset and….having a gun to your head...it made her sad. It makes me sad too."

Cat usually hated when people touched her, but having Kara's hand on her, was calming her nerves."No disrespect, but you don't really know me. Why would that make you sad?"

Kara used her thumb to lightly stroke the other woman's knee. Using her free hand to, once again, adjust her glasses."I know that I don't really know you, but I'd like to."

Cat turned away from Kara, forcing herself away from her gaze."You don't need to know me. The things that you already do know, I wish that you didn't. Supergirl saw the worst side of me last night. The desperate, pathetic, appalling side of me that just wants…"

"Please don't say what I think you're about to say," begged Kara.

"I'm so ashamed of myself," she sniffled."She must know now, she has to see it in a different light. After seeing me that way, how does she not understand that Carter deserves so much better?"

"She would never think that, she has faith in everybody."

"I know that, I do….however, I don't really think that she should have faith in me. Her faith would be much more useful toward somebody who takes cream and sugar in their coffee. Not whiskey," she said, taking a gulp from said coffee.

Kara figured there was some kind of alcohol in her coffee, but she chose not to address it.

"You're judging yourself."

"And, why shouldn't I?"

"You're just making yourself feel worse. You know….Carter told Supergirl not to judge you. That means that he has faith in you. With how much he means to you, I'd like to think that means-"

"Please, don't make assumptions when it comes to my son," said Cat, suddenly scooting away from Kara. She wasn't angry, but she seemed offended."As I said, you don't know me….and you don't know him. This is exactly why I was against this meeting. Just because you seem to be close with National City's greatest hero, doesn't mean that you can help me. She can't help me, so what makes you think that you can?"

"I'm sorry," said Kara, frantically."I didn't mean to upset you, I just-"

"You just want to help, yes….so you've said," said Cat, as she stood from the bench."Look, I really appreciate her, and you for thinking that you can help, but you can't. Nobody can."

"No, don't say that...please," said Kara, as she stood up."That's not true."

"Some people just can't be saved."

"That won't stop me from trying. I always will try."

It was then, that Cat just stared at the young woman. As if she had said something familiar.

Kara, not taking into account that Cat might be putting two and two together, stepped forward."Listen, everyone deserves faith, and that's exactly why Supergirl, Carter, and I have it in you. I don't know for sure, and I'm not assuming anything...but it seems like you feel alone. I know how that feels, but you won't feel that way forever. Not if you believe in yourself."

Cat was silent for a few moments, before shaking her head and sighing."You're a very kind person, in fact, I think the world could stand to have more people like you in it. I'm sure that you do help lots of people, so do me a favor? Go and help somebody else. A person that deserves it. Please, pass that message onto Supergirl." She wasn't being rude, or mean spirited. She sounded so sad, and down right defeated.

"Cat…"

"It was nice to see you again," she sobbed, through a sad smile."Please...don't follow me." With that, the woman was walking in the opposite direction.

The Hero wanted nothing more than to go after her, but she didn't. A few tears rolled down her cheeks, as she watched her walk away. Her words gave the simple, and clear message.

Stay away.

Only, her eyes gave a different message.

Stay close.


A little while later, Kara found herself knocking on the door of her sister and aunt's apartment. She had plans to go there that day, regardless of earlier events. Though, even if she hadn't, she would have ended up there. She knew seeing her family would help her work through her sadness, and frustration. When Alex opened to the door, she was instantly concerned.

"Kara," she greeted."What's the matter?"

Ten minutes later, the sisters were seated on the couch in the living room. Kara had explained everything that had happened, and Alex was once again, holding her close.

"I don't really know what to do, Alex. I thought for sure I was getting through to her, but...I must have said something to make her nervous."

"Sometimes the thought of help scares people, because with help comes change. Even if the change is a positive one, it can still be very scary."

"That's totally understandable, I just wish I knew what I could say to convince her that she's worth something. I'm honestly terrified that she'll get really drunk again, and hurt herself. She pulled the trigger once, what's to stop her from doing it again?"

"You are," smiled Alex."I know you, there is not a chance in Hell that you're giving up that easily."

"No, only now I'll have to talk to her as Supergirl."

"Maybe for right now, that would be for the best. You can convince her to give you...Kara….another chance."

"Hopefully. I also need to ask her about the letter she was going to leave for Carter. She said some things that-"

"Wait, you ended up reading it? What did it say?"

Kara untangled herself from her sister's arms, stood up and went to grab her bag."It's very beautifully written, but it's also very sad, I'm warning you now." She sat back down, took the letter from her bag and handed it to Alex.

Once she read it, she looked up at Kara, jaw dropped."Okay, you were right...how sad."

"Yet...beautiful."

"Hmmm, I wonder what she meant by....the night sky," said Alex, handing the letter back to Kara.

"That's something that I plan on asking. If she'll even talk to me after she knows that I read it."

"Did she tell you not to read it?"

"No, she told me to destroy it."

"Are you going to?"

"Not just yet. I think it's going to help me get through to her."

"Just remember what I told you, okay? The help thing, it might be scary for her. There's obviously several things going on, you need to take one step at a time. Choose an issue, and concentrate on it."Kara nodded."This is probably very overwhelming for her."

"I'm not trying to make her uncomfortable, you know that, right?"

Alex laughed a little, and pulled her little sister close again."Of course I know that, Kara."

"I just don't want her to hurt herself."

"Well, why don't you deal with that first, because it's what's worrying you the most, and it's the scariest."Kara nodded once again."Don't worry you, got this."

"Thank you, Alex. I love you."

"Love you," she answered, kissing her on the cheek."I can't believe Astra isn't back with Shadow yet. She left for the train station like an hour ago."

"I really hope that she had fun at camp, she really...really didn't want to go."

"I know, but she needed to. She's sixteen, she shouldn't be spending all of her time at DEO headquarters. She needed some interaction with kids her own age."

"Alex, she's a prodigy, with superhuman abilities. What in the world is she supposed to talk to other kids about? It's not like she can tell them about what she can do. Or that she's the youngest agent within an organization that catches aliens."

"I understand that, but it's skateboard camp...I sent her there, because she's all about skating. I'm sure she had a great time, she sounded fine on the phone. After the first three days, she rarely called, so she must of had fun. Oh, and don't go complaining about her having those abilities, it's your fault that she has them at all," teased the older sister.

"Well, it's not like I did it on purpose!"

Moments later, they heard the door open and close."We're back," Astra called out, before entering the room. She was followed by a shorter African American girl. Long black braided pigtails in her hair, and a black beanie on her head. When she saw Kara coming at her, she smiled wide.

"Auntie Super Puppy!"

"Oh my God, yay!" Kara picked her up, and hugged her tight."Hershey Kiss is back!"

"Yes, finally, smiled Astra.

"Did you have fun," asked Kara, setting her on her feet.

"Yeah, it was alright," she smiled.

Alex walked over, and grabbed her."Get over here, kid….God, I missed you."

Shadow latched onto Alex as if it had been a month."I missed you too."

"It's been really quiet around here," laughed Alex, kissing the girl on the forehead."You alright?"

"Yeah," she nodded, not moving from Alex's arms."I'm really hungry."

"When are you not," laughed Alex."Well, eat something now if you want, but we're going to Speranza for dinner."

"We are," she asked, clearly excited.

"Yeah, everybody's coming," said Kara."Winn, James and Lucy….it's like a welcome home dinner."

"Awe, that's amazing, I can't wait!"

Eventually, Alex took Shadow to her bedroom to help her unpack. Astra looked at her niece, and smiled sadly, before pulling her into a loving hug.

"What's the matter, Little One?"

Kara laughed a little."Boy if that isn't a loaded question. Also, this hug is amazing, I need hugs today."

"Do you now?"

"Oh yes, all of the hugs." Her phone started to ring, and she leaned back, and pulled it from her pocket. Once again, it was a blocked number, and once again she almost ignored it."Wait no….hello?"

"Kara?"

"Carter?"

"Yeah, it's me…"

"I'm happy to hear from you….is everything alright?"

"Well, I just wanted to talk to you about earlier, and say sorry."

"You didn't do anything wrong," she reassured."You have nothing to be sorry for."

"What did you say to her?"

Kara suddenly felt like she was in trouble."Nothing. I mean, I said a lot to her, but I didn't mean to upset her, I promise you that."

"You didn't upset her….you got through to her."

"Wait, what?"

"You must have, because for the rest of the day today….she was in an amazing mood. I mean, it's not like she's always depressed or anything like that, but she smiled so much all day. So, whatever you said...thank you."

"Carter, I'm glad that I somehow got her to smile, but when we went our separate ways, she made it pretty clear that she doesn't want my help."

"Don't listen to her."

Astra, patted Kara on the back, deciding to leave her to her conversation. She then headed towards Shadow's bedroom to check on Alex and the teenager.

"What do you mean, don't listen to her?"

"I mean….even if she told you she didn't want you to help her, she didn't mean it. There's no way...my Mom really admires Supergirl, and since she knows that you're close with her….she admires you too."

"She said that?"

"No, she didn't have to. I know her, and I know that's how she feels."

Kara smiled."So, you're saying that I should keep trying?"

"Yes, please don't give up on her. There's only so much I can do….and that's sucks. It makes me feel like I'm not doing enough."

"Carter...are you kidding me? You do so much just by loving and caring for her. I know that you take care of her the best you can. Trust me, I know that you do your best, and that's always enough."

"I can only hope, I guess."

"Where is your Mother right now, is she alright?"

"She's on her husband's private jet right now….they're on their way to Metropolis. He has some business there, so she won't be back until Tuesday."

"Oh, okay. Can I ask...why didn't you go with them?"

"She wouldn't let me. I wanted to go, but….she said no."

"I see, so...you're home by yourself?"

"No, I'm not at home, I'm in the hotel suite. I can take care of myself, don't worry about me."

Kara thought for a few moments, before deciding to use the fact that he was alone, to her advantage."Carter, would you like me to come and visit? For some reason, the thought of you being alone...makes me sad."

"Don't be sad, I'm alright. Like I said, I can take care of myself."

"I don't doubt that, but still." She didn't want to be pushy, especially knowing that she'd actually made some progress with the boy's mother."You know, my family I are going to Speranza for dinner tonight. Do you think maybe you'd like to join us?"