Author Note: Here's the next chapter! Hopefully a little insight into what is to come in future. I decided to leave this chapter at the length it is for fear of cramming too much into one chapter. Big events are coming, and things are going to get quite...dark. Soon there's going to be quite a tone shift so I hope you're all ready! I hope this chapter gives Alex some proper love, I feel I've been neglecting her a bit so I hope this makes up a little for it. In saying all that, thank you everyone once again for your interest in my story and all the favourites, follows and reviews! I know I sound like a broken record but you guys are truly amazing and I feel honoured that you are reading my work. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there's something you'd like to see in this story! As to the reviews asking about who Tess might end up with, honestly I haven't planned this story with any love interest for her, the Wally and Tess 'relationship' was purely fan service for a reviewer. I mean if there's someone you can realistically see Tess with, put it in a review/pm me and I might take it on board. Now disregarding all that blab I really hope you guys like this chapter!

Content Warning: Some coarse language, references to childhood trauma

Tess woke up to knocking at Kara's front door, groaning before sleepily pulling herself out of bed. She shuffled towards the door ready to open it. She threw a quick glance into Kara's bedroom, her eyes widening as she noticed Kara was hovering in her sleep. She quickly ran to the bedroom, shutting the door as another knock sounded at the front door and she heard Lena's voice. She yawned, reaching the door, unlocking it and pulling it open just enough for her to look out. "Oh, Lena. Hi."
"Tess! Sorry am I interrupting something? Is Kara around?" Lena adjusted her bag, tilting her head slightly to peek further around the door.
Tess pulled the door open, exposing herself in her pyjamas still, "I'll be honest and say I woke up to you knocking. Kara's here but she's actually still asleep."
"Oh. I should probably come back later then?" Lena looked a little disappointed.
Tess shrugged, "I can wake up Kara if it's important. Or I can…probably figure out how to make you coffee or something while you wait? Are you in a rush?"
"I'm not in a rush, really I was just coming to check on you and Kara. She didn't answer my texts."
Tess motioned for Lena to come in, closing the door behind her as Lena came in, "Oh we had no reception."
"Really?" Lena sat down at the kitchen table, "What place doesn't have reception these days?"
Tess kicked herself for not just saying they'd had phone trouble, she had no clue how to answer Lena properly, "Ridiculous right?" Tess decided to just avoid giving a solid answer, biting the inside of her cheek as Lena's eyebrow twitched upwards ever so slightly.

"I guess more importantly how are you feeling?" Lena changed the subject, causing Tess to let out a little sigh of relief.
"I'm fine, I owe you for that night." Tess gave Lena a thankful smile, "I don't know what I would have done without you."
Lena couldn't help herself from reaching out, dragging her thumb gently over Tess' eyebrow where Alex had stitched up the wound on her face, "I can't believe it healed so quickly." Lena mumbled almost to herself rather than Tess.
Tess stood still, letting Lena touch her face but avoiding eye contact. Alex and Kara had been right about how difficult it would be to explain her miraculous recovery to Lena, but she hadn't expected to see Lena so soon again. Even though it felt like it had been weeks, it had only been about four days since she'd last seen Lena, at least not in her vigilante attire. She was about to pull away when a thud sounded from Kara's room.
Lena's hand snapped back, her eyes darting to Kara's bedroom door, "What was that?"
Tess ran to Kara's door, "Don't worry, just stay here I'll tell her you're here."

Tess opened the door, quickly shutting it behind her before seeing Kara splayed out on the floor.
Kara sat up, her eyes wide, "What the hell. What time is it? Why am I on the floor?"
"It's 10am, you were sleep…flying or something and Lena's sitting in the kitchen." Tess whispered, filling in Kara.
Kara reached up to her nightstand, grabbing her classes and shoving them on her face, "Why is Lena here?"
"I don't know. I just let her in." Tess shrugged.
"Tess..." Kara gave Tess a pointed look.
"Yeah I know, probably a dumb idea, but she's in the kitchen. There's nothing I can do about it now." Tess opened Kara's door, stepping back out.

"Lena?" Kara composed herself, stepping out into the kitchen in her own t-shirt and pyjama shorts, her glasses slightly crooked in her haste to put them on.
Lena's head snapped around from the kitchen, looking Kara up and down, her eyes lingering just a little too long, "Kara. Sorry to intrude."
Kara came over, opening her arms for a hug, "No it's not a problem. I can't believe I was still asleep, I totally slept through my alarm. My boss is going to kill me."
Lena accepted the hug, pulling Kara into a tight hug, "Need me to make some calls?"
Kara laughed, "I couldn't ask you to do that."
Lena pulled away from the hug, sending a quick text, "Consider it done."
"Lena! You shouldn't have." Kara shook her head, smiling at Lena.
"Kara, it's 10am and you've just woken up and you're still in your pyjamas. I don't think you're making it into work today." Lena smirked as Tess chuckled at the comment.
"Alright you got me. Was there something you wanted to come talk about?" Kara pulled out some cups to make coffee, Tess cringing as she realised she hadn't made Lena one yet.
"You just didn't reply to my texts, I thought I'd come check on both of you…" Lena sat back down, looking between Tess and Kara.
"Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't even see them. We've been…away." Kara's eyes shifted to Tess, raising a single eyebrow to query if that was the story Tess had gone with.
"Yeah I told Lena we had no reception." Tess nodded, brushing past Kara to get some orange juice out of the fridge.

Kara placed a cup of coffee in front of Lena, sitting down opposite, there was a short silence between them before Kara suddenly gasped, "Your mum! Are you alright Lena?"
"Oh you heard? The devil herself is rotting in jail." Lena's eyes shifted, taking a sip of her coffee.
"I heard from Supergirl that you helped stop her?" Kara reached across the table, placing her hand on top of Lena's.
Lena looked at Kara's hand on her own before dragging her eyes up to Kara's face, pausing. There was that crinkle in Kara's forehead again.
"Hey, how about we go get a real coffee? Isn't the National City parade on today?" Kara gave Lena a lop-sided smile, hoping she'd say yes, "I mean you're already here when you should be at work like me, so can't you take the rest of the day off?"
Lena chuckled, rolling her eyes at Kara, "Like I would be caught dead at a parade Kara."
Kara smirked, "But I would. Come on Lena! It'll be fun."
"Wait like…a military parade?" Tess interjected, confused as to why Kara thought it would be a fun activity.
"You've never been to a parade Tess?" Lena stared at Tess quizzically.
"No? Should I have?" Tess shrugged.
"Well, see that's exactly why we have to go. Come on Lena, I promise it'll be worthwhile. And if not, maybe we can go eat something with kale."
Lena smirked, "I'm holding you to that."
Kara grinned, "Just let us get changed first."

"I don't get it. What is this supposed to mean?" Tess' nose was wrinkled up in confusion, staring at the parade floats going past. Kara, Lena and Tess had found a somewhat clear spot on the National City boardwalk that had a decent view of the parade. They were still surrounded by a large group of people.
"It's not supposed to mean anything it's just for fun!" Kara was grinning from ear to ear as she watched the parade floats.
"I don't get it either." Lena shook her head, rolling her eyes at Kara's enthusiasm.
"This earth does weird things for fun." Tess let slip before she even realised what she said.
Kara and Lena's heads both darted to her, Lena looking confused and Kara looking shocked.
"This earth?" Lena asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I meant…this city. The wrong word came out. I'm still tired, my brain and mouth didn't connect properly..." Tess cringed, trying to recover, "Wait weren't you two going to get coffees?" Tess quickly tried to change the subject.
"Yeah coffee! I'll get you a hot chocolate too Tess, you stay here and keep our spot." Kara grabbed Lena's arm, pulling her away before any arguments.

Tess cursed as Lena and Kara moved away, kicking herself for slipping up so badly. After their trip to Earth 1 she had forgotten that she couldn't just speak to everyone about different earths. She sighed, looking back up at the parade before looking around the crowd, taking in the variety of people around her. At least everyone else was enjoying themselves. She was about to look back up at the parade when her eyes met with a man further down in the crowd. He was staring at her intently, Tess narrowed her eyes as she tried to pick out his features. He just wouldn't stop staring. She moved to walk a little bit closer to try and get a closer look, starting to feel like he really did look familiar. His face was set in a smirk, causing Tess to feel uncomfortable. But she felt like his identity was just at the corner of her mind, like she'd forgotten who he was.

The pieces were almost ready to click into place when Tess felt a tug on her jeans. She jumped in suprise before she looked back up, seeing the man had disappeared completely from her view. She cursed again before frowning as she looked down to see what was pulling on her.
"Tess I don't wanna walk anymore. Can you carry me?"
Tess was completely stunned, looking down into a smaller set of her bright blue eyes. It took her a moment to process but she knew exactly who this kid was. He was her little brother. Well, the Tess from this earth's little brother. Her head darted around, searching for his family, for the other her, but they were nowhere to be found, and neither were Kara or Lena still. How the hell was this kid standing at her feet?
"Tessssss." The kid dragged out, whining as he tugged at her jeans again and held his arms up to be picked up.
Tess was frantically trying to think what the hell she was going to do, where was his parents, where was the other her, and what was taking Kara and Lena so long. Her heart was literally pounding in her chest; the other Tess didn't even live in National City. This was never supposed to happen. After a solid minute she was dragged from her thoughts as she started to hear crying. She quickly looked down, seeing her, no the other Tess', little brother starting to dissolve into tears. She quickly scooped him up, sitting him on her hip, his arms instantly wrapping around her neck. "Hey! I'm sorry –" Tess searched the absolute depths of her memory to try and remember his name. After a ridiculous pause she remembered – Max.
"Max! I'm sorry Max. Don't cry!"
Max sniffed profusely, his tears slowly stopping as he pushed his face into the crook of her neck.
Tess all but froze, this felt completely unnatural for her. She'd never really dealt with kids, and certainly not like this.

"Uh Tess?"
Tess looked to her right, meeting eyes with Kara and Lena, both of them looking very confused at Tess' current predicament.
"Um. Why do you have a kid attached to you?" Kara had her coffee and Tess' hot chocolate in her hands, her forehead crinkled heavily as she stared at Max.
"And who is this kid?" Lena added.
"And where are his parents?" Kara added again.
"And why are you holding him?" Lena decided to add again.
Tess' eyes darted between Kara and Lena as they continued to ask questions, "Okay stop!" Tess felt Max move in her arms, turning his head to look at Kara and Lena from under her chin.
"Tess who are they?" Max attempted to whisper but Kara and Lena both heard him.
"You know this kid?" Lena's frown only deepened as she saw Max' eyes, a perfect match with Tess'.
"Uh no. Not really. He just appeared at my feet. His name is Max." Tess looked at Kara, trying to signal with her eyes that the issue was bigger than some random kid.
"Can we go back to mum and dad Tess?" Max looked up at Tess, getting impatient with the conversation.

Kara was having difficulty trying to read the situation, she could see Tess was struggling to describe the exact situation with Lena standing at her side. "Um, Lena maybe you can call the police? See if they've had reports of a missing kid? I would but my hands are full."
Lena tore her eyes from Tess and Max, looking at Kara and nodding, pulling out her phone with her hand that wasn't holding coffee.
Kara watched as Lena moved through the crowd to make the call, quickly coming up to Tess, close enough to whisper in her ear, "Okay who is this kid?"
"He's my little brother. I mean the Tess' from this earth." Tess whispered back.
Kara's jaw went slack and her eyes went wide, nearly dropping their drinks, "What?"
Tess nodded profusely, "I'm not kidding. That's why he won't let go of me! He thinks I'm his sister!"
"Wait so when his family comes..." Kara trailed off.
"The other me probably comes too!"

Tess bit the inside of her cheek, wondering what the hell they were going to do.
Kara gulped, "How the hell do we explain that."
Tess shrugged, "I don't know! We're identical!"
"I want mum and dad!" Max gripped Tess tighter, his eyes starting to well up with tears again.
Tess directed her attention back to Max, adjusting him on her hip, "Hey mum and dad will be here soon. You'll see them any moment now."
Kara guided Tess through the crowd to where Lena had exited so that they weren't surrounded by people anymore
Lena looked up, hanging up her phone, "The police are actually with a family now that reported their kid missing, they're sure it's the same kid. The family will be here in a few minutes."
If Tess' heart wasn't already pounding, it was going a million miles an hour now. She saw Kara's head tilt to the side ever so slightly, looking at her with concern.
"That's good right? You two are looking at each other like that's a bad thing?" Lena raised an eyebrow, curiously observing Kara and Tess.
Kara nodded, "Of course. That's great! His parent's must be worried sick right now."
Tess numbly nodded; there was no way she was going to get out of this now.

Less than five minutes later, a police car pulled up, its lights flashing as it parked on the curb. The doors opening as a police officer and three people got out.
The older woman's eyes locked on Max, everything else seemingly unimportant as she ran towards Tess and Max.
Max held his arms out, "Mummy!"
The woman instantly took him into her arms, squeezing him tight and peppering his face with kisses, "Max we were so worried!"
The man and younger woman quickly ran over also. The woman holding Max turned, being pulled into a group hug by the two. The moment lasted for what felt like an eternity, before the woman passed Max to the man, "I can't say thank you enough." The woman turned to face Tess, her sentence abruptly ended as she looked at Tess, confusion settling on her features.
Tess' breath hitched in her throat, she felt like she couldn't physically take a breath anymore. Here she was, face to face with her mother. It was surreal, this woman was exactly the same as her mother, but still there was softness to this woman that her mother had never possessed. This woman's eyes were not hardened by poverty and oppression.

The woman's head darted around, looking back at her daughter, before staring back at the girl in front of her, an identical copy. Without even meaning to her hand shot out to feel Tess' cheek, her thumb gently caressing her face.
Tess was completely frozen in place, her eyes glistening with tears, barely able to keep her jaw from quivering.
The woman's hand lingered, her eyes searching Tess' for answers. If she didn't know any better she would swear this girl was her daughter. But her posture was wrong, her shoulders broader, and her eyes were not innocent. The eyes she loved getting lost in were not the same, behind them was struggle and pain, anger and self-doubt, loss and sadness. This was not the daughter she had raised, no matter how similar they looked. She slowly removed her hand, pursing her lips, "Thank you. We were worried sick."
Tess just nodded, still unable to say anything coherent. She looked behind the woman, meeting eyes with the other Tess. The other Tess looked shocked, looking her up and down for a few moments before her attention was dragged back to Max, who was holding his arms out to be picked up just like earlier.
Tess looked away, unable to look her dad in the eyes as well.

Lena and Kara were observing this whole interaction. Kara's heart was breaking in two as she saw Tess' reaction. She remembered what it felt like to be under the influence of the black mercy parasite last year. Having your perfect family within reach, but realising they weren't really yours. It was devastating enough for Kara and that was a hallucination, she could barely imagine what it was doing to Tess right now with her family physically in front of her.
Lena was utterly stunned, gazing between Tess and the other girl who was identical. She knew that there were, when she'd first met Tess she'd found that out. She didn't know why, but she'd come to the conclusion that maybe it was an oversight, as if the old Tess' record hadn't been deleted. But now she was staring at two of them. They weren't the same person. At least the family looked as confused as she did, but Lena wasn't easily confused.

The family slowly moved off, leaving Tess behind, feeling the cold where moments ago Max's little body had been pressed tightly into hers.
The police officer came up to her, "Thank you miss. Did you see where the kid came from? The family thought someone took him off."
Tess shook her head, "No. There was no one." Tess turned, taking her hot chocolate from Kara and taking a drink, not caring that the liquid was still scalding hot.
"Is that all officer?" Kara used her now free hand to wrap her arm around Tess' waist, keeping Tess from running off like she'd just gone to do.
The police officer nodded, "I guess if you didn't see anything then there's no point. The kid probably just ran off. They're all together now. Thanks again."
Kara nodded, giving the officer a smile as he turned and went back to his patrol car.

Tess was facing the opposite direction to Lena and Kara, still being held by Kara, who was literally using her super strength to keep her in place one handed. Her eyes were tightly closed and her hands almost crushing her drink as she tried to calm herself down.
Lena was distracted by an incoming phone call, frowning as she looked at Kara before she moved away again, taking the call.
Kara breathed a small sigh of relief, her hand loosening around Tess so she could move round in front of her, "I've got you."
Tess collapsed into Kara, being mindful of both of their drinks as she pressed her face into Kara's shoulder, remaining silent.
Kara ran her hand through Tess' hair, kissing her forehead, "You're okay. You've got this. I've got you."
Tess took a deep breath, her free hand wrapping around Kara as tightly as she could, her eyes still tightly closed as she concentrated on breathing slowly with Kara.
Kara rested her cheek on Tess' head, rubbing her back as she looked at the crowd and Lena.

It took them until Lena hung up on her phone call for Tess to pull away from Kara, her composure once again intact. Tess took a deep breath as she turned back to Lena, giving the woman a fake smile.
Lena noticed the smile didn't quite reach Tess' eyes, but she wasn't about to confront Kara or Tess about their double lives right this moment, "Everything okay?"
Tess nodded, taking a sip of her drink, "Perfect."
Kara smiled at Lena, adjusting her glasses, "Do they need you at L-Corp?"
Lena looked puzzled for a moment before she realised Kara was referring to her phone call, "Oh, no. Just some bland investor wanting to schedule a proposal."
Kara laughed, "I take it you said no."
Lena smirked, "I just pushed his appointment to as far away as possible. I am not in the mood for any more bland proposals."
Tess finished off her drink, chucking it in the bin nearby before jumping slightly as her own phone buzzed in her pocket with a message. She pulled it out, seeing it was from Alex.
"DEO. Now. Just you."
Tess frowned, concerned as to the bluntness of Alex's message, she nudged Kara, "I have to go."
Lena looked at Tess, raising an eyebrow, "Where are you running off to? I only came to this parade because of you!"
"I do believe it was Kara that dragged you along. Alex wants me for something. Said it was a surprise." Tess gave Kara a quick hug before giving Lena one also, surprised as to how open the CEO was to accepting it.

Tess was about to leave when Kara's hand reached out to grabs hers, stopping her in her tracks.
"Tess. Be safe." Kara let go, giving Tess a look overflowing with love and concern.
Tess nodded, "Always. Love you.."
"Love you too." Kara sighed contentedly as she watched Tess duck off into the crowd.
Lena stood next to Kara, close enough for their arms to brush together, "I think you two are getting along a lot better now."
"I think so too." Kara tore her eyes away from the crowd to look at Lena.
"I mean it's usually impossible to get a teenager to say 'I love you'. Let alone one like Tess." Lena smirked.
Kara chuckled, "I guess I just understand where she's coming from a lot better now. It certainly hasn't been lollipops and rainbows."
"I guess anyone that has Kara Danvers in their life gets their fair share of lollipops and rainbows." Lena raised an eyebrow at Kara, a smirk still plastered on her face.
Kara scoffed, "I can be serious when I want to be! I just also like lollipops and rainbows!"
Lena sipped her coffee, rolling her eyes at Kara, "Of course.."
"I also like food and not being starving." Kara winked at Lena, "Can you spare some more time off for the day?"
"You are unbelievable Kara. But yes, I think I can spare some more time, I know some places that make great kale salad." Lena grinned.
Kara grimaced, "I guess I owe you."
"100%."

Tess landed in the DEO, being greeted by Alex and Maggie, Maggie's hands on her hips and Alex's arms folded across her chest. "Well…this is mildly intimidating."
"Follow me." Alex uncrossed her arms, walking away, leading Tess and Maggie to her lab.
Tess was concerned when Maggie softly closed the door behind them, locking the door, "Uh…what's going on?"
"We have an issue." Maggie spoke up first.
"Yeah an issue with acting vague as hell." Tess frowned.
"Tess. Shut up. Please." Alex sighed.
Tess pursed her lips together, doing as Alex said for once.
"We've got four murder victims. And so far the only suspect is you." Maggie continued.
Tess' jaw went slack as she looked between Alex and Maggie, "Uh. What?"
"Four victims, six witnesses. Every single one of them saying that it looked like you. Well, Surge." Alex's expression was blank.
"Look we're not accusing you of it. Alex said you and Kara were away for two days, which accounts for three of the deaths, but the first happened while you were still here." Maggie came over to Alex's workbench, pulling out four pictures of the victims.

Tess swallowed thickly, coming over, recoiling in horror at the pictures. Every victim looked like it had had the life sucked out of it, their bodies shrivelled beyond recognition, "What the hell!"
"I know, the bodies don't look like they've been attacked by you. But security footage all backs up the witnesses. It looks like someone with your powers, and the only person people know of is you. I thought maybe it's parasite but autopsy results came out differently." Alex sighed, frowning as she noticed some sort of recognition in Tess' horrified expression. "You can't do this right?"
Tess avoided looking at Alex or Maggie, shifting nervously from foot to foot, "Did they die of rapid ATP and mitochondrial depletion?"
Alex watched Tess, "I…think that sounds right. Wait how do you know that?"
"Rapid ATP and mitochondrial depletion followed by immediate cardiac and respiratory arrest? Practically destroyed neural connectivity?" Tess bit her lip as she looked back up at Alex.
Alex slowly nodded, "Tess what are you getting at."
Tess took a deep breath, "I can do that. I don't but I can. It's what happens if I try and absorb energy from people instead of other energy sources."
"What the hell?" Maggie tried to keep her jaw from hitting the floor.
"It's the worst. Even if I wanted to, it's incredibly difficult, and for some horrible reason it means I absorb their memories too. I think I've done it twice apart from…well the day my earth died but…I didn't do this." Tess felt like her world was crumbling apart for the second time that day. Why couldn't she be happy just once.
Alex could see the hole Tess was falling into, coming forward and putting her arm around her, "Hey. Like we said we're not accusing you of this. But…someone clearly is."
"But it means right now you need to lay low, you can't go out as Surge until we get to the bottom of this. The NCPD has ordered media silence on this but that's only going to last so long. No coverage is good coverage." Maggie stated.

Tess slowly nodded, leaning her head on Alex's shoulder, "Is there anything linking the victims so far?"
"Not yet. We're still working on it." Maggie pulled out her phone, "I have to go. I'll let you both know if anything comes up. Promise." Maggie came over to Alex, giving her a quick peck.
Alex blushed as she watched Maggie leave, running a hand through her hair as she bit the corner of her lip, "I want you staying at my place for the time being okay? I know you love Kara but it's easier for me to make sure you're not breaking rules. Hate me if you want but that's final."
"Do you honestly think I hate you Alex?" Tess looked taken aback.
"Well yeah you kind of act like it!" Alex threw her hands up in defeat.
"Alex…you. You…" Tess was lost for words.
"I what? What Tess?" Alex pursed her lips together, staring at Tess.
"You are…" Tess stared at the ground before looking Alex in the eye, "You are smart, and kind, and thoughtful, and caring, and honest, and…and a total badass. I don't hate you Alex. I want to be you! You have saved my life on multiple occasions, you have let me slip into your life even after I have done so much to hurt you. You and Kara are so inspirational it hurts, because I feel like I can never be like you. I have never loved anyone so much, not even my own parents! I do not hate you Alex. I never have. I'm just a total bitch sometimes, and I'm sorry that somehow it's always directed at you instead of Kara. But I don't hate you, and I will never hate you Alex. I need to get better at saying it but I love you. I really, really love you Alex. You are the best cousin, big sister, mum, whatever, that I could ask for. And I love you." Tess had barely finished before Alex had engulfed her in the tightest hug. Tess hugged Alex back tightly, "I'm sorry…"
Alex shook her head, kissing Tess' forehead, "Don't be. I love you too."

Tess sighed against Alex's shoulder, "I met my family today."
"What?!" Alex moved so she was holding Tess by the shoulders in front of her.
Tess nodded, fidgeting with her hands as she stared at the floor, "I saw the other me, my mum and dad and…the little brother I have here. Max."
"I thought they didn't even live here?" Alex spoke softly.
"They don't. They live out in Keystone City…" Tess looked back up at Alex, trying to keep her emotions in check, "Max thought I was his sister. Wanted me to pick him up and everything, even started crying when I didn't. But my, I mean the other Tess' mum…she could tell. She looked at me like I was…" Tess choked on her words, struggling to keep herself together anymore, "Like I was damaged or something."
Alex's heart broke a little as she pulled Tess back into a hug, "You are not damaged. You're you. It doesn't matter if she doesn't love you because Kara and I do. We're your family here, okay?"
Tess nodded, holding onto Alex tightly, "Don't leave me. Ever."
"As long as you promise not to leave too. Kara would be devastated. I guess I could cope." Alex tried to lighten the mood.
Tess gasped, pulling away, "Alex! That's not funny!"
"I'm kidding! I would be just as devastated. You're a pain in the ass but it's kind of endearing." Alex smirked.
Tess glared at Alex, "You're a pain in the ass too."
Alex shrugged nonchalantly, "Then we're even."
Tess groaned, "Ugh so not fair."
Alex grinned, giving Tess another kiss on the forehead, "But you said you love me so no take backs."
Tess rolled her eyes, "You Danvers sisters are unbelievable. "

"Thank you so much for the lunch Lena." Kara gave Lena a tight hug, sighing as she pulled away.
"I thought maybe you could use the adult conversation. And a break actually, you look exhausted." Lena smiled warmly at Kara, but her expression held some concern.
"Exhausted would be an understatement. Things have been so chaotic lately." Kara's shoulders slumped slightly as she loosened her demeanour.
"I would imagine."
Kara adjusted her glasses, looking at Lena curiously, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"You're looking after a teenager Kara. It's a given." Lena thought she would neglect to mention Supergirl's involvement in her mother's arrest and everything else the Kara had been up to.
"I think she's doing a lot better. That wasn't actually the first 'I love you'. I got one just the other day so I think we're progressing well. Even if the first one was when she was half asleep." Kara shrugged, not registering Lena's subtle underlying tone.
"I think everyone loves you Kara. Including me. It was never going to be that hard to get that I'm sure." Lena chuckled slightly, watching as Kara blushed ever so slightly.
"Yeah but, with her history and everything it's kind of a big deal."

"Does that have anything to do with the scars she has? The ones all over her abdomen?" Lena queried, her brows raised in a questioning manner.
"I haven't asked." Kara answered sharply, her eyes narrowing at Lena.
"I'm not meaning to overstep Kara. I just know from personal experience that sometimes putting childhood trauma into a box instead of talking about it can be counterproductive. I thought maybe-"
"I don't need to be told how to deal with childhood trauma Lena." Kara cut off Lena, her features hardening into a tortured anger that Lena had never seen on her before.
Lena slowly nodded, realising that she had in fact overstepped just a little too far, "I didn't realise I'm sorry…"
Kara took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure, "It's fine. I think it's a good reminder that we both don't know everything about each other yet. Let's leave those lines uncrossed for now. Okay?"
Lena bit her lower lip, the irony of Kara's words not lost on her, of course there were things she didn't know about Kara still, but now she knew there were multiple reasons Supergirl was called the girl of steel. It wasn't just to do with her bulletproof abilities. "Of course. I'm sure there's plenty we still don't know about each other. I appreciate that I feel like I can let you in on my secrets though. I hope you feel the same."
The corner of Kara's eye twitched, but she forced a smile, "Of course. What else are friends for."
Lena looked away, placing her hands in her coat pockets, "If there's anything you need. Just ask."
"Thank you. That means a lot." Kara looked over Lena, hating how much she felt like she'd just given Lena an invisible punch to the gut.
Lena gazed back up at Kara, the faintest of smiles tugging at her lips, "What are friends for?"

It was late, very late. But even so, Tess was staring up at the ceiling of Alex's apartment. She'd been texting Kara from the relative comfort of Alex's couch until midnight, but after a few jobs as Supergirl and after recent events Kara had told Tess she really needed to sleep and couldn't stay up any later. Alex had already gone to bed hours earlier, leaving her alone with her thoughts for far too long already. She sighed, rolling over on the couch, giving her a view of Alex's bedroom and Alex's sleeping figure. She groaned at herself, trying to talk herself out of it, but before she knew it she had slipped off the blanket on top of her and was tiptoeing over to Alex's bed. She paused, watching Alex sleep for a moment or two before she bit the bullet, "Alex?"
Alex let out a groan, pulling her pillow tighter.
"Alex…." Tess spoke a little louder.
Alex groaned again, frowning in her sleep.
Tess rolled her eyes, "Alex!"
Alex's eyes shot open, frowning as she looked at Tess and spoke sleepily, "Tess? What time is it?"
Tess shrugged, "Late. Really late. I can't sleep."

Alex sighed, sitting up on her elbows, "What's going on?"
Tess pointed to Alex's sheets, "Can I?"
Alex nodded, watching as Tess slowly slid into the bed next to her, "Is this about today? Do you want to talk about it?" Alex lay back down, rolling so she was face to face with Tess.
"What if other people from my earth made it here?" Tess whispered, afraid that if she spoke normally it might make it true.
Alex paused, mulling over the thought in her mind, "I mean…"
"I'm probably being ridiculous right? There were five billion of us. Millions with powers like mine. Of course I wasn't the only one." Tess interrupted.
"Tess stop. What would happen if someone else came?" Alex reached over, pulling Tess close to her.
"I don't know." Tess muttered into Alex's chest, tucking herself into Alex.
"Then there's no point worrying about it. I'm sure Kara's already told you but we'll keep you safe no matter what. I promise." Alex gently rubbed Tess' back, hoping it would help calm her.
Tess tried to tuck herself even tighter against Alex, "But I'm worried that someone's already found me."
Alex pulled back so that she could look at Tess properly, "What do you mean?"

"There's this guy. I've seen him twice now. I can never get a good look at his face, but I think I know him. My gut is telling me it's not a good thing either. And now there's people trying to frame me for killing? I just, I can't cope with something bad happening to anyone because of my past." Tess sighed.
Alex frowned, concerned that Tess hadn't brought up this information prior, "I think the best thing we can do now is sleep. We can talk about this more in the morning, with Kara and Maggie. Don't worry about it tonight."
Tess nodded, avoiding Alex's gaze, "Can I stay here? Kara's let me sleep in her bed a few times when I've been…"
Alex pulled Tess close again, "Of course, we're family."
Tess tucked herself into Alex once more, "I love you Alex."
"I love you too Tess." Alex replied, smiling a little as she felt Tess relax against her further.
Tess closed her eyes, content to listen to Alex's steady heartbeat as she fell asleep.
Alex waited patiently; keeping herself awake until she felt Tess' breathing even out before she let herself fall asleep as well.