Cat Grant didn't believe in miracles. Some things were inexplicable, lacked the proper facts to explain, but they weren't miracles. However, at five o'clock in the morning, still seated next to Carter, still holding his hand, she believed she may have experienced a miracle. Carter woke up. He wasn't screaming.
"Hey, mom," he greeted her. His voice was raspy. "May I have some water? Really thirsty."
"Carter?" Cat smiled then looked behind her as Adam stirred on the chair he was slumped in. She was grateful he was there. He didn't have to come. He hardly knows Carter, or me for that matter.
"I've got it. I'll get the doc too," Adam said as he stood up, stretched, and left the room.
"How are you feeling? Are you in pain anywhere?" Cat smoothed the hair back from his forehead.
"I feel okay. Just thirsty. A little tired. You look tired too."
Cat was about to answer when Adam returned with Doctor Peterson in tow. Doctor Grey strode in a few seconds later; eyes on the tablet she was holding.
"Here you go, Carter," Adam said as he handed the glass to Cat.
She maneuvered the straw for Carter to take a sip.
"Thanks."
"I've looked over Carter's latest readings. Everything appears normal," Dr. Grey said to Cat. She then smiled at Carter, "You're a perplexing case, young man."
"Normal, like I can go?" Carter was more than willing to leave Lord Technologies and never come back.
"No," both Cat and Dr. Grey answered at the same time.
"I want him transferred to National City General right now," Cat ordered Dr. Grey.
The doctor nodded, "I was about to suggest the same thing. There are some other tests I would like to run. I'd like to keep him for further observation. I don't want to release him until we have more of a handle on what caused the seizures."
Cat nodded in agreement as Carter put his hand over his face, "I have an important test tomorrow. It's worth half my grade."
"Your instructor will accept a stay in the hospital as an excuse," Cat advised her youngest son.
"I'll call for a medical transport," Dr. Grey said. "I don't believe, looking at these readings, a helicopter is needed."
"I'll have all of Carter's medical data sent with you," Dr. Peterson added. "It'll save you from repeating some tests or redoing MRI's. I'm sure Carter will appreciate that."
"Thank you," Dr. Grey nodded.
Several minutes later Carter, Cat and Adam were piled into an ambulance. Dr. Grey followed them to the hospital in her car. The trip was without incident and Carter was set up in a private room. Adam lounged on the bed next to Carter's while Cat contacted several of her senior staff members to arrange for her absence. She would work from Carter's bedside until further notice. Cat then left a text and voice mail for Kara. She was annoyed the young woman left when she should have known Cat would need her assistance – even if she wasn't technically her assistant anymore. She knew about Kara's other job but she still expected her to check in after whatever super thing she was doing was over. Emotionally and physically drained, she carefully climbed next to a sleeping Carter and fell asleep.
/
Prescott sat back with a smile of satisfaction. The hidden cameras in Carter's room at the hospital were working perfectly. Mr. Lord will be pleased. Lucky the man has deep pockets. The hospital staffers he 'hired' didn't come cheap.
Prescott's thoughts were interrupted when Dr. Peterson walked into the office.
"Is that the live feed?" Peterson asked looking at the monitors and ignoring the other people in the room.
"Yeah. Clear as a bell."
"Let Mr. Lord know I'm heading home to sleep. The kid's doctor was given all the files. Should cause quite a conundrum unless they redo all of the tests," Dr. Peterson said. "Their doctor's sharp but I don't see her putting the kid through the hoops if she doesn't have to. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Prescott answered as he turned his attention back to the Supergirl monitors. So far everything is going without a hitch, damn, it's even raining now. Guess Supergirl won't have to worry about taking a shower today.
/
Really? It has to rain? Kara was drenched as she flew over National City waiting for her next assignment. She started to fly above the clouds when the rain started but was ordered by 'the voice' to remain under the clouds so she could see anyone who needed help. She advised 'the voice' that she had x-ray vision. The answer was still the same. Fly under the clouds.
A loud piercing squelch, almost debilitating, sounded in her ear. Kara hovered in the air, barely able to see, the sound stopped and 'the voice' warned, "Too close to Catco. Fly around. Last warning."
Kara realized she was almost to Miss Grant's balcony. Wow – didn't even realize I was near Catco. As much as she yearned to check up on her friends she immediately turned around and flew away from the building. Carter's safety was more important.
Three traffic accidents, one purse snatching, and a tire change assist on a metro bus – yeah, that was so much fun …not later and the rain finally started to let up. About time. I could use some sun right now. Actually I'm starving. Must be around noon. Yep – food, sun and sleep. Then, remembering the 'food' part of the equation she added not necessarily in that order.
"Supergirl. Return to your quarters. Proceed immediately."
Kara cocked her head in surprise. That sounded like Max Lord. Maybe he heard my stomach rumbling and wanted to get a laugh watching me scarf down a bunch of those green bars. Psychotic bastard – I actually want to.
Kara arrived at the hatch entrance and waited as it opened. Once inside she grabbed the 'off duty' clothes from the end of her bed, snatched a green bar from the box, and headed into the bathroom for a quick shower. She looked at herself in the mirror. I've looked better. Damn, that cop was right – it does look like a dog collar. Reaching behind her neck she unbuckled the collar then placed it on a shelf next to the towels. That feels better. A quick x-ray scan revealed no surveillance equipment attached to the collar. Just thick black leather, the Lord Tech Logo, and small sharp studs on the inside. She undressed using super speed and threw her suit outside the bathroom and closed the door. Although I don't really know if Max does or doesn't have cameras in here. All I have is his word he's not a pervert. Yep, that doesn't count for much.
Kara showered and changed. She hadn't found any surveillance equipment on the clothes when she checked them. Time for breakfast or lunch. Okay, these things are really bad. Kara grabbed the cup from the sink and filled it numerous times. Brush my teeth, hang my suit to dry and hit the sack. Rao, I'm tired.
As Kara stepped out into the main room she saw the monitor was on. Cat, Carter and Adam were in a different room. It looks like a real hospital. Carter looks better. Maybe Max is going to keep his word if I keep mine. Adam, I'm so glad you came – your mom needs you. Kara watched as Cat worked on her laptop glancing up at her two boys occasionally. A fond smile lit Kara's face as she lay down in her bed. She closed her eyes to sleep. I'm exhausted.
It seemed like seconds later when a loud obnoxious blare filled the room. Kara sat up, wide awake, both hands to her ears to muffle the noise. Over her ear piece she heard 'the voice'.
"Stand away from your bed and the alarm will deactivate."
Kara practically jumped away from the bed and stood next to the table. She sighed with relief as the noise abated.
"Supergirl. You have ten seconds before the hatch opens. Make yourself ready."
"Oh you've got to be kidding," Kara moaned. I could use another ten hours of sleep. Shoot, my suit is still damp. Grab one of those bars to eat now and maybe stick one in my boot for later.
"Supergirl. The hatch is open. Depart immediately."
The hatch opened and Kara flew out to face another shift. At least the sun is shining.
"Supergirl. Proceed to fire at recycling facility on Andover Street. Three people trapped in the building. Proceed immediately."
/
Lucy watched as Winn and a bleary eyed Vasquez hunched over the main computer console discussing something. Winn looked increasingly alarmed as he feverishly typed commands on the keyboard.
"Hey, Winn. Glad you could join us," Lucy said as she approached. She nodded to Vasquez and received a nod in return. "You two don't look that happy. What's going on?"
Winn glanced up at Lucy for a brief moment then continued typing feverishly.
"Winn thinks someone has ghosted our mainframe. He's not sure if it was Max Lord or maybe Indigo?" Vasquez looked to Winn with a raised eyebrow.
"No. Not her." Winn's answer was immediate even though his eyes never left the screen. "Totally different."
Lucy opened her mouth to ask how Winn could tell the difference when she was remembered something. She went to another computer console and began typing in commands.
"I don't believe it. They locked me out," Lucy was annoyed. "Don't worry about it, Winn. I'm pretty sure I know who's keeping tabs on us."
Winn stopped tying and looked at Lucy, "You do?"
"Yes. I believe Lt. Colonel Harper ordered it when we were conducting an investigation of the DEO after the Jonn J'onzz incident. I thought it was shut down. My mistake. Someone in Washington has had a chance to access all of our files for the past few months."
"Do you want me to shut it down? I can probably do that," Winn offered already turning back to the computer console.
"No. Don't bother," Lucy said as she motioned for Vasquez to come closer. When all three were hunched over the computer console she said, "I'd rather not raise any suspicions. Susan, were going to have to be more judicious with the information we add to the base computer."
Vasquez grinned. Lucy found her in Alex's lab late one night working on a computer program. Lucy was curious as to why she was using Alex's computer and learned Alex had discreetly disconnected it from the base computer. The only other person who knew was Jonn J'onzz. Lucy realized Alex was able to do research on Kara's physiology and keep it private. Alex had Vasquez set up a 'dummy' program. The program filter Alex's findings, remove any sensitive material, then send them to the base computer as though it came from Alex's computer unaltered.
Lucy was 'suggesting' Vasquez do the same for the DEO's base computer.
"I can do that. Will take a while, though."
"Whatever you need. Get started now. I'll have Cannon take the rest of your shift now then coordinate with Wakefield and Rivera to cover your shifts until you're done," Lucy looked at Winn. "Thanks for helping out, Winn. I guess you'd better get back -"
"Hey, I can stay and help. Right?" Winn looked to Vasquez.
"I could use the help, Acting Director Lane. He is the one who found the ghost to begin with."
Lucy acquiesced, "Okay. Let's get this done. Winn, I don't have to remind you-"
"I know. I know. Non-disclosure forms await," Winn sighed. Lucy was such a lawyer.
"I'll let Alex know you'll be sharing her lab for a while. Aside from Alex, none of this is to be discussed with anyone else," Lucy ordered.
"Yes Ma'am."
Winn nodded, "My lips are sealed."
/
James was not having a good day. He hadn't heard from any of his friends after he talked to Alex after the day before. When he heard Supergirl was helping workers fix the tunnel he decided to do some 'investigative photo journalism' only to be stopped by a bored cop assigned to block the roadway.
"Sorry, bud, you'll just have to use your telephoto lens if you want a picture. The tunnel's unstable. They don't want anyone near it in case of further collapse," the officer was unimpressed by James' press credentials.
"I thought Supergirl was supposed to be here," James remarked. "I don't see her."
"I haven't seen her. I think she's inside the tunnel. Holding it up so the guys can get the work done faster. Easier than calling in a bunch more of equipment."
James took some photos and walked to his car.
"Supergirl. I know you can hear me. I'm going to call Superman. See if he can help. Stronger together and all that," James said as he entered his car.
Cat Grant called him at six-thirty the next morning to assign him some new responsibilities while she was 'away from the office'. She hung up on him before he had a chance to ask about Kara.
When James arrived at Catco an hour later he learned Winn had already called in sick for the day. He texted Winn who sent back a terse, "Busy. With Alex. Talk later." I bet this is going to be one of those 'sick all day' call ins. I wish I could be out there helping.
James was busy until noon. He decided he needed to talk to someone and called Alex.
Several minutes later ….
"I know, James," Lucy said into her cell phone. "Alex has her reasons for saying what she did. No, I don't know what they are. I'll ask her later. Maybe she'll apologize. Go ahead and get in touch with Superman. Maybe he can help. James? Tell him to make contact surreptitiously. Away from prying eyes. No, I can't go into detail about that right now. Later. Take care, Bye."
Lucy turned off the phone and looked over at Alex.
"Do you mind telling me what that was all about?" she asked.
"I kind of lost it when he told me he was at the tunnel collapse yesterday. Not his fault – I'm just frustrated being stuck here where I can't do anything." Alex looked sheepishly at Lucy.
"Everyone is frustrated. Alex, we all love Kara, she's special. Not just as Supergirl but as Kara." Lucy smiled and went on, "There are three things you need to know about James; He's unbelievably compassionate, he's dedicated, and he believes the sun rises and falls on Superman. Let Superman give it a shot. Maybe he can help his cousin. At least we may gain more information as to what's going on with Kara."
/
Max Lord walked into the room he dubbed his 'Supergirl Command Room.' Three of the walls were lined with monitors showing both Supergirl and Carter Grant in real time. The room was staffed with four people at all times. Max noticed Prescott and his crew were gone. At least they'll get more sleep than Supergirl.
"How long has our girl been out there?" Max asked Jones.
"Approximately three hours and forty minutes, Mr. Lord." Jones was a no nonsense beefy man, "She has had exactly one minute fifteen seconds of 'free time'. She has performed within the parameters you set without deviation. An incident is scheduled in another twenty minutes if you care to wait."
"No. Just make sure he stays extremely busy for the rest of your shift. Have Prescott call her in again after ten tomorrow morning for a couple hours of sleep. Make sure he uses my voice recording when he does it. I want to condition her to associate my voice with positive things. I'll talk to her face to face in a few weeks. By that time, she ought to fall all over herself to make me happy like a puppy does for its master." Max smirked and straightened his suit, "Right now I've got a few interviews to do. It seems everyone wants to know about the man who holds Supergirl's leash."