Martha sat next to Linda on the living room couch and gently applied an ice pack to her shoulder; Linda hissed in pain.

"Sorry, sweetie," Martha said softly.

"It's okay," Linda said. Despite the pain, she kept the ice pack against her shoulder; in a few seconds, the area started numbing, and she carefully leaned against the back of the couch. She sighed and glanced around the room at the others; everyone had spread out around the living room—Jimmy and Dick stood near the bay window, Gar sat in one of the rocking chairs, Superman and Batman stood near the piano, Alfred waited near the kitchen entrance, and Jonathan leaned against the fireplace; Streaky and Krypto were secure up in Linda's room. The young girl could feel the high level of emotions emanating from everyone—worry, fear, concern, curiosity—but the strongest came from her adoptive father…and she knew it was something they were going to have to deal with—later.

"So, Gar," she said slowly, "I'm sure you're wondering why I don't have a bullet in my shoulder—or even through my shoulder."

"Actually, I'm just curious why you're bruising at all," Gar said. "I thought you were supposed to be bulletproof…or does that have something to do with meteor rock taped to you?" He suddenly realized that everyone was staring at him, stunned.

"I think you better start explaining yourself," Batman asked, getting into Gar's face, causing the teenager to pale, his eyes widening.

"Starting with how you know about Linda," Jimmy added, stepping forward, trying to look threatening.

"Yeah, have you been spying on her?" Dick joined in, frowning. He and Jimmy suddenly realized that everyone was staring right at them. The adults looked at them tiredly—except for Alfred (who appeared almost amused) and Batman (who just glared); Linda looked almost impressed, smiling slightly, while Gar just appeared confused. Dick and Jimmy glanced at each other then wordlessly backed off.

"Talk," Batman demanded as he looked back at Gar.

"Look, I know about Linda," Gar said slowly, trying not to make any sudden movements, "because…because she kinda told me."

"What are you talking about?" Linda asked. "I never told you anything!" She glanced at her parents and Superman. "I swear, I didn't say anything to him."

"Actually, you kinda did," Gar continued. He cleared his throat, then made a soft hooting sound.

Linda's eyes slowly widened, and her mouth opened slightly. "Sankta fek," she whispered.

"Linda," Superman admonished her, looking at his cousin in shock.

"Sorry, Clark," Linda said quickly. She saw Superman's face shift into a 'what are you doing?' expression, but the teenager waved her hand dismissively. "Look, he knows about you; I mentioned you when I was venting to him...as the owl." She glanced back at Gar, and there was a part of her that felt a little betrayed, but she also knew what it was like to hide a big secret. "So, uh…am I right in assuming you were the rat at Homecoming?"

"Yeah," Gar replied softly.

"And the crocodile that saved me yesterday?" Linda asked. Gar nodded, hanging his head, and Linda sighed. "Thank you." Gar looked up, a little surprised; Linda smiled a little. "You saved my life, Gar."

Gar looked a little relieved as he smiled slightly, a little embarrassed. "Hey, no sweat," he replied.

"I guess I'm no longer needed," Batman said, his voice low and sarcastic; he stood straight and turned quickly, his cape billowing behind him dramatically as he headed for the den.

"Sometimes," Alfred spoke up, "it does well to attract flies with honey, instead of vinegar," he glanced briefly at Gar, "if you'll pardon the metaphor—Master Bruce." Batman stopped in his tracks, and everyone but Gar stared in shocked amusement at the realization that Alfred has just ousted Bruce's identity.

"Bruce?" Gar asked, glancing between Batman and Alfred; it took him a few moments before it hit him, and his eyes grew wide. "As in Bruce Wayne?" He slowly grinned excitedly. "Whoa, that's awesome." Batman didn't respond as he marched off, leaving the living room; Gar's smile faded. "Uh…is he going to be okay?"

"Don't worry about Master Bruce," Alfred reassured the teen. "That's actually him in a good mood." Gar looked a little unconvinced but decided not to ask any more questions about that.

"I'd hate to see him in a bad mood," Gar muttered.

"So are you a Durlan?" Linda asked suddenly, her eyes dancing with a little excitement. "Teiresiae? Vuldarian? Farfarmniflatch?"

"Uh…none of the above?" Gar asked, furrowing his eyebrows, confused.

"You wouldn't be Martian, would you?" Superman asked.

"Do I look green to you?" Gar asked, a little insulted. Superman raised an eyebrow, and Gar shrunk back a little. "Uh, I mean…I'm human, actually."

"So, what happened?" Linda asked.

"Well, my parents are scientists," Gar explained, "and when I was younger, they used to travel all over the world, doing consulting work and special projects for different companies; when I was eight, we moved to the Congo so they could research plants for a pharmaceutical comp—" He suddenly stopped and pursed his lips. "You know what? Here's the abridged version: traveled with scientist parents around the world, ended up in the Congo when I was eight, got bit by a monkey with a deadly virus, parents developed a serum from the monkey to save my life. Life saved, but we found out monkey was exposed to unknown alien technology and gave me the ability to shape-shift into different animals. Parents freaked a little, calmed down, and we continued on with our lives; moved out here about three years ago for a little quiet and stability," he glanced at Linda, smirking a little, "which, I have a feeling I probably won't be seeing much of."

Linda smiled a little. "Why animals?" she asked.

Gar shrugged. "Beats me," he replied, "but, as you've seen, it has its advantages."

"Like spying on people?" Jonathan asked, frowning. "Maybe teenage girls, for instance?"

"Jonathan," Martha said gently.

"I wasn't spying on Linda, I swear," Gar protested.

"Then how did you know to go to Riley Field?" Jonathan demanded. "Or that she'd been kidnapped?"

"I saw her and Dick talking in the gym," Gar answered then he quickly glanced at Dick. "Uh, the other one, not him. Linda looked very serious, and I figured it was really serious, but I wanted to make sure she'd be okay…so I turned into an owl and followed them to Riley Field. I overheard them talking, and decided to help, so I dive bombed and changed into a rat to help gnaw through the ropes. Same thing for when I visited her as the owl: she'd had a really bad day, and I wanted to know she was okay," he shrugged, "I had no idea she'd tell me she was an alien, and I didn't tell anyone—not even my parents; I know what it's like to have a big secret—and what would happen if the wrong people found out." He glanced over at Jonathan, and he saw the farmer's expression soften a little.

"And about her being kidnapped," Gar continued softly, "I was just leaving the school when I saw her being thrown into the trunk of a car by three people—she was unconscious—and then they got into the car and drove off. I knew I wouldn't have time to get help, so I changed into a peregrine falcon and flew after them. I'd figured I'd help her when they stopped—you know, change into a grizzly bear or something, make them think I was gonna maul 'em or something—and then they stopped on the Loeb Bridge, and threw her over. I freaked and dove down toward the water; changed into the crocodile and dragged her out."

"That would explain the scream I head right before hitting the water," Linda mused, then she sighed. "So, how did you know to get rid of the kryptonite?"

"I'm going to assume you mean the green glowing rock taped to you," Gar said, "and, to be honest, I didn't know why they did that…and then I saw how Clark reacted when he got close. I mean, he's Superman, but when he stepped toward you, he looked a little sick; you were already unconscious, so I figured the rock was the problem—would explain why you were unconscious and bleeding—so I just grabbed it and left as quickly as I could so that Superman could help you."

"Is that why you came out here?" Linda asked. "To make sure I was okay?" Gar nodded, looking a little embarrassed, and Linda smiled. "Well, I'm fine, thank you," Gar smiled a little, "though it might be best—for future references—not to come as an animal that will get you shot because it tends to prey on our livestock."

Gar's cheeks turned bright pink. "So, uh, can I ask you something?" Linda nodded. "I thought you were supposed to be, you know, bullet-proof or something…why the bruise?"

"It was her first time exposed to kryptonite," Martha explained. "She should be back to full strength tomorrow."

"So, you stepped between me and a bullet," Gar said slowly to Linda, looking upset, "and you knew you weren't totally bulletproof?"

"Well…," Linda said slowly, "yeah, but I figured I was probably more bulletproof than you are."

"Are you freaking out of your mind?" Gar exploded. "You could have gotten killed!"

"And you wouldn't have?" Linda retorted as she sat up straighter, still holding the ice pack; her shoulder throbbed with pain, and she winced and leaned back against the couch. "Filo de hundio."

"Linda," Superman admonished her.

"Sorry," Linda replied, carefully massaging the area around the bruise; she winced a little.

"Here," a gruff voice said. Everyone looked over and saw Bruce coming in, dressed in a pair of jeans and a snug black shirt; he held a device that looked like a large silver flashlight in his right hand. Wordlessly, he sat on Linda's other side and aimed the flashlight at her shoulder. He pressed a small button with this thumb, turning it on; a bright, yellow light bathed Linda's shoulder. The teenager was surprised at how soothing the light felt, the energy penetrating into her bruise, easing the pain; she glanced down and was surprised to see her bruise quickly fading. In less than twenty seconds, Linda's shoulder was completely healed; she gingerly moved her shoulder in a small circle with ease.

"Thanks," Linda said, trying not to sound too surprised. "Uh, what is—"

"Portable solar generator," Bruce replied curtly as he turned it off, then looked over at Gar. "Where is it?"

"Uh, where's what?" Gar asked, trying not to look nervous.

"The rock," Bruce replied. "Where did you take it?"

"I hid it under my bed," Gar answered. "I have a small trunk; it's buried under some comic books. You want me to get it?"

"Bring it by tomorrow morning," Bruce answered as he got to his feet. "Nine o'clock." He headed back to the den without saying another word.

"Well, I guess I better get home before my parents freak out," Gar said slowly.

"Do they know you're even here?" Martha asked.

Gar slowly shook his head. "I didn't know what I was going to tell them," he said, "but they know I like to spend some time flying out around," he smiled at Linda, "which we are so gonna have to do one day."

"And when my flying ability comes in," Linda amused, "sure." Gar furrowed his eyebrows, confused, and Linda chuckled. "I'll explain tomorrow, okay?" She glanced over at the kitchen door, focusing; the door opened on its own accord. She looked back at Gar, who gaped at the door, and she smiled. "Now, go home."

Gar raised an eyebrow, very curious, but he slowly smiled and nodded. His features suddenly shifted and changed, and in an instant Gar had changed into a barn owl; he quickly took off, gracefully flying through the door and disappearing into the night.

(End of Chapter 7)