Chapter Twelve

A Hero's Payoff


Tension was running extremely high at headquarters. The incident with Leslie and Maxwell had everybody on edge. Not only had she managed to escape her cell for a third time, she had electrocuted Maxwell to death. They'd all be lying if they said they weren't somewhat relieved that the man was dead. The downfall was, that it fell back on them. He was in their custody, and no matter what they had planned for him, his death was never supposed to be an option. It took Hank much longer than he wanted it to, but he finally made a decision as to how to cover it up. He knew Kara was with Alex and Eliza, so he decided to wait a while before calling her in. He had been thinking things over in the break room, and was about to exit, when Astra walked into the room. She looked relieved that he was the only one occupying the room.

"Director," she greeted, as she approached him.

"Astra," he nodded."Is there something that I can do for you?"

"Yes, there is. I think it best that you confine me for the time being." She was adamant, yet visually upset."As soon as possible, I should be confined to a cell."

Hank looked at her, puzzled."Why should you be confined?"

"I'm at fault for Lord's death," she stated.

"How is that possible? If you hadn't taken Leslie down with that hose, who knows what-"

"Please, don't pretend," she said, looking down."I don't see how it could possible for you not to understand."

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you're trying to say."

"I hesitated. With my speed….I could have easily stopped Leslie from killing him, but I didn't. I hesitated, because….I wanted her to do so. With that hesitation, I could have been responsible for other agents getting injured or killed. My mind has been on the path of goodness for so long….I'd hate for my moment of weakness to affect my family, as well as my fellow agents."

Hank took a deep breath, and stepped closer to the woman." I knew it from the very moment that it happened. You're being honest with me at the moment, so I will extend you the same courtesy. I knew that, and I let it happen." Astra stared back at him."I'm not proud of that, and trust me, I know that you're not either, but….he was a threat to us. To the organization as a whole and, to people that we both love very much. His death, though tragic, is also a victory in a very strange way. Let's not punish ourselves anymore than needed, Astra. We're the good guys. As odd as it seems, sometimes being the good guy entials bad decisions." He gave her shoulder a brief squeeze, before walking passed her, and leaving the room.


Meanwhile, at Alex's apartment, high running tension was just as much in play.

"Mom, I really need you to stop with this," Alex was saying, as she walked into her kitchen, and opened the freezer door."I understand what you're saying, I really do, but you're wrong, and now is just not the time. It's bad enough I'm on mandatory time off."

Eliza was right behind her, Kara in tow."Sweetie, I just think it's for the best, I'm not trying to make you mad, I was only suggesting that-"

"That I'm losing my friggin' mind, that's exactly what you're suggesting, and it's not true!" She grabbed three small cartons of ice cream from the freezer, before slamming it shut, and going for the spoons."I don't need to see a shrink!"

"Alex, you're not losing your mind," said Kara."Nobody thinks that you are, but you were already dealing with something pretty heavy, and now-"

"That's another thing that just sucks," breathed Alex, as they sat down at the kitchen table. Each of them took a carton and a spoon, and casually dug in."You taking Mom's side, Kara. You, both of our girlfriends, and Hank. I'm so out numbered, it's not even funny."

"How many times do I have to tell you, it's not about taking sides," snapped Kara."I really hate it when you say that. We're just worried about you, and want you to take a tiny break.

"So you've said, a hundred times, but nobody has to worry about me! I'm handling my issues. Switch." They all rotated the cartons to the left."I'm fine."

Eliza shook her head, as her and Kara each took bites of ice cream."Sweetheart, you're not fine. If you were, Kara wouldn't have asked me to come visit. Seeing a professional isn't a bad thing, I only brought it up, because I honestly believe that it will help you. It's very hard for me to see you like this."

"It's hard for me too," said Kara, sadness in her tone."You're angry, you're sad, you're frustrated. You have every right to be feeling all of that, but you're not dealing with it like you say you are. Not talking about it….that's not dealing with it, you're just repressing it. You know that's not a good thing."

"What's the big deal," asked Alex, swallowing a bite of ice cream."Yeah, Hank is pissed off at me, what else is new? The DEO has to cover something up, news flash, that's part of what we do. Shadow is gone….she has been for thirty two days, and she's obviously not coming back….I've...accepted that. It's not like I can openly talk to a professional about any of this anyways, so what would be the point of going to one?" Kara and Eliza exchanged looks. Looks that gave away that they knew Alex was right."See, you know damn well that I'm right."

"Okay, well who says you'd have to be that open," questioned Kara."You could easily disguise what you're going through."

Alex laughed a little, while shaking her head."Oh yeah, how? What, I should go in claiming that all of this is just part of some very vivid dream that I have on occasion? Or should I go with the whole….I'm not talking about me I'm talking about a friend of mine….defense? You both know better than that."

"And you know better than this," said Eliza."Making up excuses isn't going to get you off the hook, Alex. Something needs to be done. I've been here for a whole day now, and you won't talk to me, you won't let me know what's going on inside of your head. That's not like you, and I don't like it. You know that you can talk to me about anything. If you don't trust me, and you won't talk to me….maybe you need to talk to a professional."

Alex looked at her Mother, sympathy in her eyes. "Mom, of course I trust you, this isn't about me trusting you. I'm just...a little lost….alright? I'm lost, and that's it. Yes, there's things going in, but this whole Maxwell cover up….it's been so long since it even happened, it's really not worth-"

"Alex, that was two days ago," said Kara. "Switch." The three of them once again, rotated their ice cream cartons to the left."One of the biggest threats towards us, is now gone….and no matter how positive that is for us, it's still eating away at you. He was in our custody, because you brought him in. You have to stop downplaying that fact."

"I'm not downplaying anythi-"

"You are, Alex," stated Eliza."You are, and it's time to stop." She reached across the table, and grabbed her daughter's hand."Can't you just be honest right now? Please?" Alex shook her head, but it didn't stop the tears from falling."Please, sweetheart….talk to me. I'm right here, I just want to help you. Please just let me help you."

Kara reached forward, and grabbed Alex's other hand."You know the exact number of days it's been since Shadow's been gone, Alex. If you truly accepted that she's not coming back, you wouldn't be counting the days." Alex sobbed a little, and squeezed both her Mother and sister's hands."You did talk to me about her, and I'm so happy that you did. There's only so much that I can tell you in terms of that situation, mainly because….I miss her her too. We all miss her more than words will ever be able to describe, but….with you, it's different. Eliza is who you need to talk to about that. The threats we face, the danger we often find ourselves in….well you can talk to any of us about those things. With this….with Shadow….your Mother is who you need to talk to, so please….do it."


After Alex agreed to talk to Eliza, Kara thought it might be best for them to have some time alone. The two of them had, of course, protested but she insisted and headed to Cat's penthouse. She found her girlfriend in her home office, sitting at her desk. She was so into what she was doing on her phone, that she hadn't noticed her Hero lingering in the doorway.

Kara smiled lovingly, noticing that Cat had one pair of glasses on her face, and another pair resting on top of her head. She had a concentrated little scowl on her face."Worried about dinner tonight, love?"

"Jesus," she breathed."I didn't even hear you come in, how long have you been standing there?"

"Not long, but….long enough," she giggled, as she strolled over, and leaned down. She caught Cat's lips in a long, slow, and passionate kiss, before pulling away. Taking the extra pair of glasses from the woman's head.

"Damn it," she breathed."I was infuriated that I couldn't find those."

"When aren't you infuriated," laughed Kara, taking seat on her the desk."I think that maybe….you need to take some you time before dinner tonight." Cat gave her an all knowing look, just as she expected."I know, I'm being dramatic, but still….she rattles you." She lightly stroked the older woman's cheek with her thumb."Your Mother makes you so anxious, and I can't lie….I don't like it."

"I'll handle her," breathed Cat."I always do."

"I know, but she really hurts your feelings with the horrible things that she says to you. She's gotten worse since Carter let it slip that we're together."

"Trust me Darling, I'm not that worried about it. Primarily, because I'm ninety nine percent sure, that she's going to call and cancel."

"I wouldn't exactly hate it if she did," Kara mused, with a smirk.

"I wouldn't either, which makes me feel somewhat awful. On one hand, she's my Mother, and I love her. On the other hand….she's my Mother, who doesn't support my relationship, and insults the woman that I'm in love with."

"Do you think she'd treat me differently if she knew who I was?"

"Honestly, no I don't. Otherwise, I might have told her by now. She'll somehow manage to turn that into something ugly and negative," sighed Cat, sadly."I would never want that, not for you." She looked up at her Hero, lovingly."Speaking of Mothers, what's going on with Eliza and your sister?"

"They're at Alex's now, hopefully working through some things."

"Good. I'm assuming she's still angry at me for voting that she take time off?"

"Oh yeah. Astra's been sleeping in the spare bedroom, I've been getting dirty looks every five minutes…"

"So, we're all at the very top of her shit list, is that what you're getting at?"

"Pretty much."

"She'll get passed it, because she knows that she needs the time off. The trouble is, everywhere she is reminds her of what's missing in her life. Or, who rather. Headquarters, her apartment, and even here."

"Eliza will help her with those feelings, I know she will," said Kara, all the hope in the world in her tone. She started to light run her fingers through Cat's hair.

"You want to hear a secret," she older woman asked. Kara nodded, with excitement."When Shadow was staying here, I added chocolate soy to my standing grocery order. A few days a go, I opened the refrigerator, I was moving some things around, and there they were. Four unopened cartons of Silk. Kara….I started crying."

"Awwwww, Cat."

"I couldn't bring myself to throw them away, even the expired ones are still in there."

"To be honest, I don't think I would be able to either."A few silent minutes passed, as Kara remained atop Cat's desk, running her fingers through her hair. They both spaced out, before Kara snapped out of it."Is Carter home yet?"

"No, he's still with James, and Winn the Cardigan Boy Wonder. They'll have him back in time for dinner. Lucy is around here somewhere, she was in here with me, but wandered off." She reached over, and lightly stroked Kara's thigh."Why don't you go find her, I'll be along soon enough. I just have to finish reading a few emails."

"Alright." She leaned down, kissing her softly. When she felt Cat wrap her arms around her neck, she reached down, and lifted her with ease. She held her in her lap, and deepened the kiss. Eventually, moving her lips to her neck, and collarbone.

"Ka-Kara….Darling….as much as it kills me to….Oh my God," she breathed."Guest in the house….guest in the house….this cannot happen right now."

With a groan, Kara stopped, and looked at Cat."She probably won't even hear us."

"Stop it….you know damn well that I have issues keeping quiet." Kara just smiled, and shook her head, as Cat slid from her lap."Would you get away from me please, before articles of clothing start hitting the floor."

A few minutes later, Kara was sitting at the kitchen table with Lucy, munching on a sticky bun. Lucy was drinking a glass of water.

"I meant to ask you, how did you manage to talk Richie Wallace into doing the interview after what Cat said to him?"

Kara smiled proudly."Well, Carter suggested that I appeal to him as what he was trying to be. So, I went and talked to him as Supergirl."

"That's amazing, and I'm very proud of Cat for keeping her cool, the interview was amazing," said Lucy."I didn't think that he'd be so open, especially not with Cat."

"Do you think it helped to take some of the heat off of him," asked Kara, worry in her tone.

"Oh, definitely. Personally, I felt for the guy, he was very sweet...and didn't he remind you of -"

"Winn?"

"Yes," exclaimed Lucy, as they both burst into laughter."I thought it was just me!"

"No, trust me….the first time I met him, I thought of Winn. That's so funny." She finished the last of her snack."Aaaaand I'm still hungry. Great."

"Kara," laughed Lucy."That was one of the biggest sticky buns I've ever seen you consume. God, the way you eat is insanity."

"Yeah….I know," she blushed."I'm freaking starving! What do you want from me?"

"What every woman in National City wants. Supergirl's metabolism."


Not too much time had passed before Kara found herself walking into headquarters. She greeted Astra with a loving hug."Hey, so...you Hank has a plan?"

"Yes, and I believe that it will work," nodded Astra."Alex has not answered any of my messages. Does that mean she's is still talking with her Mother?"

"Yeah, she must have gotten through to her, because she hasn't been answering any messages from anybody."Astra nodded, but she looked worried."Don't worry, this is a good thing."

"Kara," Hank greeted as he approached the two woman.

"Hi," she smiled.

"We're going to expose Maxwell."

Kara was confused."Won't that be a little hard to do, now that he's-"

"Not at all, it actually makes it much easier. Now that he can't expose you, we're able to use the things we had on him. The footage of you being taken down outside of Lord Tech, the files that Winn found on those girls, and other things. The fact he's….missing….will soon enough become irrelevant, and that will be it. As for what happens to Lord Tech, it won't be our problem."

"That is amazing," said Kara."But, if we do this….don't we risk Lane and Steel exposing us?"

I thought about that, and I don't think that they will."

"With all due respect, that's a pretty big risk considering that they still have Shadow," said Kara.

"Kara, I've told you before….people like them will never carry out their plans all at once. They like starting wars and fighting, that's part of what makes them the evil bastards they are. Don't worry."Kara nodded, but she didn't seem convinced."I'm sure Miss Grant wouldn't mind helping us with the exposure?"

"Oh, she'd be happy to," smiled Kara."There's no way she'll pass up this opportunity."

"There wasn't a doubt in my mind," said Hank, with a small smile."Anyways, you're both free to go for now."

"Are you sure?"

"Don't question it, just take advantage of the fact that for once, there's isn't anything crazy going on. I'll call you if I need you." he answered, before walking away.

"Well, alright then," she laughed, before looking at her aunt."Would you want to come back to Cat's with me?"

"It's probably not a good idea for me to go home, so yes. Only, I thought that Cat's Mother was visiting."

"She cancelled, so James, Lucy and Winn are staying for dinner. After, we're watching a movie," she bubbled.

Astra smiled before laughing a little. She couldn't help it. She loved her nieces enthusiasm."That sounds like a good time, Little One."


Soon enough, another couple of weeks had passed by, and everything was as low-key as it could be. Maxwell's exposure was successful, and so far there hadn't been any retaliation from Lane or Steel.

Alex, having spent three days off, two of them with Eliza, was feeling better than she had been. The anger and frustration had died down, but the depression remained, and it was to be expected. She took comfort in the fact that she was surrounded by family and close friends, and that soon enough, she would be alright.

One random afternoon, Kara was eating lunch with Cat and Lucy in the research office.

"Is the picnic still happening this weekend," Lucy was asking."The weather is supposed to be fantastic."

"Yep," Kara bubbled."I'm so excited."There's going to be so much food there."

"Half of it is pretty much designated for you and your aunt, Darling," smirked Cat."Are you absolutely sure that I can't call a caterer for this?"

"Cat," scolded Kara and Lucy, in unison.

"This is an outdoor, family type function….homemade food, and grilling is a must," said Kara.

"The private chef thing is always so delicious, but I'm with Kara," said Lucy, as she opened a plastic container."The chef thing should just be for your-" She stopped suddenly, and covered her mouth and nose, before closing the container.

"Are you alright," asked Kara.

"Yeah, I'm good. I'm just...not as hungry as I thought I was."

"Are you sick," asked Cat, suspiciously."I will seriously fire you."

"Oh ,stop it. Don't start with me about germs….I am not sick," said Lucy.

Kara smiled a little. She loved how Cat and Lucy's friendship was them bickering half the time.

"Oh really? Than why did a little birdie tell me that they thought they heard you throwing up in the bathroom this morning?"

Lucy rolled her eyes."It was Jill, wasn't it? God, I hate that little bitch, any chance to kiss your ass, she does it."

"Alright, so she was lying to me? If that's the case, I will go and fire her right now."

"Of course she was lying!"

Cat just smiled at Lucy, as if she couldn't believe her in that moment. She slowly stood up."Alright, fine, I shall return."

Kara, who knew something was up, simply sat there looking back and forth between the two of them. She could hear Lucy's heartbeat, and she was clearly nervous about something.

Cat slowly backed towards the door."Here I go...to terminate Jill...all because stubborn ass Lucy can't just admit that she's sick."

The minute her hand was on the door knob, Lucy sighed."Okay, wait."

"I knew it!"

"No...I'm not sick. I'm….pregnant."

Kara gasped."Really?"

"Yes," she said, looking to the ground."Don't get too excited about it, because it's not James' baby."

Again, the Hero gasped."What?"

"Oh, Lucy…", said Cat, disappointment not unnoticed."Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm not serious," she snapped."It's James' baby, I just wanted to get back at you for being such a nosy little freaking weasel!"

"That was so not funny," breathed Kara, putting her hand on her chest.

"You're a brat," said Cat, as she sat back down in her seat. She couldn't help but smile."Just when were you planning on telling us?"

"We were going to announce it this weekend, at the picnic."

"Oh my God," smiled Kara, as she stood up, and went to Lucy. She leaned down and hugged her."Congratulations! I'm so happy for you guys!"

"Awwww, thank you."

Kara started sniffling, and she placed her hand gently on Lucy's belly."I can't wait, I'm so excited," she sobbed.

It was then that James walked into the office, and took in the scene before him. He closed the door behind, and looked at his girlfriend."Really?"

"I didn't say a word," she defended.

"Kara's sobbing with her hand on your belly."

"Cat was being pissy, she thought I was sick, so I told her. I'm sorry, babe."

He smiled over at the woman, and shook his head."You ruin just...so many surprises, you do know that, right?"

She nodded."Regardless, congratulations to both of you."

"Thank you," answered the soon to be parents.


Early the next morning, Hank had called Kara, Alex and Astra into headquarters to discuss a random issue. In the middle of briefing them on something, he had to excuse himself to tend to a small emergency.

While waiting for him to come back, a look of confusion and shock crossed Kara's face, and she looked up. As if she could hear something in the distance. She shook her head, as if she shake the noise away, and ignored it. Seconds later, she heard the noise again, and noticed Astra making a similar facial expression."You heard that too, didn't you?"

"I did," she nodded."I still do."

"What are you guys talking about," asked Alex."You're both hearing the same noise?"

"It's not a noise...it's a voice," said Kara, her voice shaking a little."I think….it's Shadow."