Thanksgiving. It was the one time of the year that Kara could eat to her heart's content and not be looked at strange. It also helped that she would be around family and friends who knew her crazy appetite. When she had first arrived on Earth, she didn't want to celebrate the holiday with the Danvers. Why should she? She had lost her entire world. Her family, her culture, her way of life. She didn't feel thankful, she felt bitter and scared, a stranger in a strange world.
On Kara's third Thanksgiving, Kal arrived at the house on the cliffs.
"Kara, why are you so quiet?" Kal asked her as they stood in backyard, watching the sun set over the ocean.
"This holiday, it makes me remember what I, what we have lost." The grown up in the teenage body crossed her arms, tears leaking out of her eyes. "You were barely six months old when you left Krypton, so you have no memory other than what was sent in the ship with you. I was 12. I remember the faces of my parents, your parents. I had friends. I can still see the beautiful buildings glimmering in the red sun. I can still hear our music."
She turned to look at her cousin, the sadness on his handsome face fanning the anguish that she felt in her heart, feeding the growing bitterness.
"Every memory is like a knife stealing my breath. My purpose was destroyed when my pod landed. You grew up without me. There is no point for me to be here. Sometimes I wish I hadn't been sent off world. Sometimes I wish I had shared Krypton's fate."
"Kara." Kal sighed and sat down cross legged on the ground, motioning Kara to join him, facing him. "You can't think like that."
"Why?"
"Imagine what it would be like to know you have a legacy and a history, but no way to access it, to know it. You're cut off from something more than you, but you have no way of knowing what it is. That was my situation before you came here. I was utterly alone. Yes, the Kent's raised me as theirs and loved me, but I knew there was something more."
Kal reached out and took her hands, skin warm against hers.
"You are the only home I have left. My last link to a world I never knew." His voice broke. "When you tell me about our home, it's like I can almost reach out and touch it. There is such passion and love in you when you tell me your memories. That is what this holiday is about for us. To be thankful that we have each other. To know that in us our world lives on. We may be the last children of Krypton, but it will not die with us. Our children will be it's legacy, whenever we find someone we trust enough to open our hearts to."
Crying openly Kara climbed into Kal's lap, snuggling into his arms as they both mourned and rejoiced for what they had.
Kara was pulled out of her thoughts as Barry sped into S.T.A.R. Labs, arms full of dishes for their first Thanksgiving of the day. Kara and Caitlin has set up a few long tables in the lab, both of them having moved equipment out of the way, to make room for the family that would be coming over. They had decided that it would be better to have the gathering at the lab, having enough room for everyone that would attend.
Team Arrow consisting of Oliver, Felicity, Thea and Diggle were on their way. Ray Palmer was also said to be attending. Joe and Iris would be there as well. Then there was Caitlin and Cisco, two of the closest friends Kara never imagined she would have. Harrison and Jessie Wells from one of the alternate earths had made the jump earlier, wanting to spend the day with their adoptive family. Barry and Kara rounded out the group.
The speedster and the hero were in charge of setting up the food on one of the tables, their speed a coming in handy. Kara also made sure all the dishes were warm with her heat vision. Cisco kept geeking out about it, asking her all sorts of questions about the ways she could control the heat.
"Man, chill." Barry laughed wrapping an arm around Kara as the guests began to arrive. "Let her breathe. You can ask all the questions you want later."
"It's not like I'm going to disappear after today." Kara smiled at the excitable man. "After the holidays you can ask me all the questions you want. Deal?"
"Deal. But I will warn you, I want to know everything."
Kara laughed with a nod as she felt Barry tug on her hand, pulling her off to the side. Curious she followed him, letting him lead her to the far side of the room. She willingly went into his arms, resting her head against his chest. She enjoyed the feel of his heartbeat as it raced along, strong and warm. A kiss brushed her temple, making her look up.
"Thank you for this."
"What?" She saw the love and sincerity in his deep green eyes.
"For suggesting all of us get together for Thanksgiving." He shrugged, glancing over at the family that had gathered around, helping themselves to the food. "I've had Joe and Iris in the past, but this, this is what I've always wanted. A real family."
"You deserve it Barry." Kara leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
"Hey you two." Felicity called. "Stop kissing and get over here. We can't start without you."
Laughing the two of them filled their plates, having let everyone go first so there would be plenty to go around. It was a rare treat for all of them to be under one roof and not have to worry about the various and sundry bad guys that they all dealt with on what seemed to be a daily basis. It was warm and inviting as stories were shared back and forth along with food and drink. Kara was proud of the family that Barry had made for himself, enjoying the way he was relaxed and happy.
"Wait, so you really shot Barry in the back?" Kara asked as Oliver related his first test of the Flash to everyone.
"Barry thought he didn't need training." Oliver shrugged. "He was cocky in his speed, thinking that it would be the only thing he needed to defend himself and win. I simply showed him that he needed to use his head, to think things through before rushing in."
"It worked too." Barry made a face. "I still ache where you shot me when it rains though."
Unable to stop herself Kara laughed out loud, snorting lightly. At the hurt look on Barry's face she tried to stop laughing.
"I'm sorry baby, but it's just too funny." Barry crossed his arms and grumbled, reminding her of Oliver when he was in one of his moods. She decided to give him a break.
"That's nothing. Clark threw me though an entire warehouse when he was training me. I nearly brought the thing down on our heads."
"What?" Diggle looked at Kara like she had grown a third eye. "A warehouse?"
"Clark was helping me refine and control my powers, long before I became Supergirl." She shrugged as she told her tale. "I needed to learn control, otherwise I could have hurt someone. He was teaching me how to stop attacks that would come at me. I was too slow and with one punch he sent me through about eight walls of brick and drywall."
"Did you break anything?" Caitlin asked.
"Yeah, the building."
"I'm glad we did that." Barry said as the two of them left S.T.A.R., Kara holding his hand as they slowly walked down the runway behind the building.
"Me too." Kara smiled at him. "It was something that needed to be done. They are your family after all."
"Hey, so are you." He stopped and smiled at her. Kara felt her knees go weak when he smiled like that. There was just something about him that went to her head. He was like an addiction, one full of love and hope.
"I love you Kara Danvers. You are my family now too."
Kara knew she had the biggest grin on her face, but she didn't care. She was completely happy and totally in love.
"I love you too Barry Allen. You are my safe place and my home."
They sealed their love with a long, slow kiss under the clear blue sky and bright sun. Kara knew, in her heart, this was the man she was meant to be with forever.
Later that afternoon Kara and Barry were at the Danvers, celebrating with that side of the family. It was a slightly smaller gathering, but not by much. Kal brought Lois. J'onn was in attendance as Hank. Alex even took time off from the DEO and picked Winn up. Eliza and Jeremiah had the table set and looking as beautiful as Kara remembered. She was proud of her little family, knowing that they had all been through so much, but had come out stronger because of it.
"Did you enjoy your morning in Central City?" Eliza asked as they all sat at the table in the dining room, enjoying the meal.
"It was surreal in a way." Kara replied glancing at Barry before looking around the table. "I'm blessed to have so many people in my life to call family now. It's no longer just Kal and me. We've both made such strong ties here. It was also fun listening to Oliver and Barry goad each other like brothers."
"Some media outlets refer to it as the 'Great Bromance'." Lois laughed as the tips of Barry's ears turned red. "Others used to wonder if Kara was Clark's wife. They didn't realize that they were cousins. Luckily with my exclusive scoop, the record was set right."
"Oh Rao, I'd forgotten about that." Kara shook her head.
"Yeah, talk about embarrassing." Kal added. "Lois and I had been dating. I had just told her my identity and then all of a sudden my Kara pops up and the media goes nuts."
"At least Cat didn't give credit to the rumors." Kara shrugged. "Sometimes I wonder though if she really knows."
"Wouldn't surprise me." Winn added. "She didn't get to where she was be being gullible. No offense."
"If she does, then I'm glad she hasn't outed me yet." Kara sighed and Barry rubbed her back.
"Most likely she doesn't want to give up the exclusive." Lois nodded at Kal. "I know I don't."
After everyone finished eating and cleaned up Alex said candidly,
"So is the tradition still on even though there are two more players in the game?"
"Huh?" Barry asked as Kara looked at Kal, a grin spreading across both of their faces. Kara nodded excitedly, bouncing on her toes.
"Only if they want to do it." Kal told Alex as Jeremiah laughed.
"Ok, someone want to fill us in?" Winn asked.
"When Clark was training Kara they would have a race. Out to the farthest barrier island and back. It used to be so Clark would push her and see how she was developing. Over the years though, it is now just for bragging rights." Jeremiah replied.
"I'm out." Barry shook his head. "I already know I'm faster than Kara."
"Ha, I let you win." She grinned at her boyfriend, adrenaline pumping.
"Did not!" Barry looked scandalized at the very thought.
"Wanna bet, scarlet speedster?"
"You're on, girl of steel."
"Looks like there is a race to be held." J'onn said as he changed into his natural form. "Rules?"
"No foul play. No extra powers. 20 miles and back. Winner gets bragging rights for the next year."
That was how Kara found herself lined up with the three closest men in her life, ready to see who was the fastest of all. A small part of her knew that Barry stood a good chance of winning, but she also had faith in her abilities. At Alex's "GO!" they were off. The cool ocean breeze felt good to Kara as she raced along, glancing down to see a streak of lightning underneath her, skimming along the water. On each side of her flew Kal and J'onn. With a peal of laughter she put on a burst of speed, somersaulting once she reached the 20 mile mark to head back to shore.
Kara had just landed when something slammed into her from behind, knocking her to the ground. Barry was on top of her, laughing and breathing hard. Feeling high from excitement Kara reached up and kissed him, ignoring the fact that her family was watching. She could still feel him vibrating lightly from his run as he kissed her deeply, body warm and smelling strongly of ozone.
"Hey, hey!" Kal's voice penetrated the haze around her mind. "I don't need to see my cousin getting frisky with anybody!"
Breaking apart the two laughed, Kara not feeling any embarrassment for her love.
Ok, I wanted to get this one out before the holiday. Seriously, I have no idea where the first part between Kara and Kal came from. It needed to be written though, to show how human they really are. Also, I had to mention Ollie shooting Barry. :-) As for the race, I just wanted something fun and lighthearted to end what started as an emotional chapter. As always, let me know what you think.