Kara flew fast through the air; her thoughts scattered as she tried to zero in on the plane that soared high above her. Following the aircraft with her eyes, Kara did her best to shut out the rest of the world and focus on the wind that was sharp against her skin.

Her mind felt overcrowded as memory after memory hit her, she had so much to lose, and the only thing keeping her going was the knowledge that she had a way of stopping it this time. This wasn't Krypton, and she wasn't that scared little girl that just managed to escape the fate of her planet. Kara had put a lot of thought into, and sometimes it was too much, and it would have been easier if she had died with her planet.

But then she would think about her adoptive parents and friends, and she couldn't help but curse herself for even thinking it in the first place.

She had so many people that loved her, and Kara would be the first to admit that they were her family, blood or not, they were the ones that had put her back together when she crashed to this world. They were there. Not her cousin, not her parents; just them.

She'd let Alex and Maggie in, and eventually the guilt she felt over outliving her planet slowly faded into the background.

Grounding herself, Kara watched as a second engine burst into flames and couldn't stop the low growl that escaped her.

"Damn it," Kara muttered under her breath, she was so close.

She had a plan, she just had to stick to the plan.

Kara was about to drift under the plane to level it when she heard a small groan from one of the failing engines. Kara reacted quickly as she swung to the left, crossing her arms into the shape of an X as she got in front of the engine.

Recovering from the impact, Kara ignored the shattered pieces and flew to the other wing doing her best to level the plane from one side. Smoke streamed from the second engine blurring her vision, and Kara had to tilt her head, blinking rapidly as she tried to clear her eyes. When she opened them again, she was met by the sight of Alex's worried gaze.

They locked eyes through the panes of glass, and Kara could see the disbelief and fear flash in her mother's eyes, before a look of pure determination settle across her features. Kara gave herself to the count of five, absorbing every ounce of trust and faith that Alex was giving her.

It was only a few seconds, but it was what Kara needed to finish this.

With a new sense of self-assurance, she gave a slight nod to Alex before dropping back under the plane. She was careful with her strength as she pushed up against the bottom of the aircraft. It was a gradual way to level the plane, but Kara had learned early on that subtlety worked best, especially when it came to her powers.

Kara couldn't help but smile when she overheard the muffled voice of the pilot reporting that they were leveling off. Her heart slowed as adrenaline seeped out of her body; giving her a moment to actually breathe. She couldn't quite believe that she had done it, sure she had been training since she was fifteen, but it was never about saving anyone; it had always been about her learning to embrace her powers.

For years, she feared what she could do. She had seen what her cousin was capable of, and that terrified her more than anything, knowing that she could do the same. The Kryptonian wouldn't have been able to live with herself if she had hurt someone. So she suppressed her powers, her glasses had helped, but only enough to suppress her heat and x-ray vision. But her strength grew over the years, and after several broken cups and a lot of tears she somehow let Alex convince her to start training.

The agent had been trying for months, but Kara had denied her at every turn. The best thing she could do was suppress her powers and live her life as respectfully as possible. She didn't want to be any different than the kids at her school.

She wanted to be human.

"Oh, come on!"

Kara screamed as she saw the fast-approaching bridge.

Her mind spun possibility after possibility. She could try to push it up and over, but at the speed, they were going… she had to go through it. It was the only way.

She quickly switched position, hearing the white metal groan as she took it between her hands. Pulling with all her strength, Kara slowly tilted the plane to the side just in time for her and the aircraft to fit through the bridge. When they got through, she quickly shifted her weight, balancing the plane out before they hit the water.

Freezing, ocean water engulfed her, flooding her lungs. Kara blindly pushed her limbs through the numbing water until she reached the surface. She came up sputtering and coughing, digging her fingers into the metal of the plane wing as she pulled herself out of the water.

It took longer than usual for her to become aware of the helicopters flying above, shining bright, white lights on her. She glanced at her mother, her heart beating wildly. Kara wanted to laugh in relief, but then she saw her mother's mouth moving over words that she couldn't understand. But she knew that look, the worry.

With one last glimpse at Alex, Kara shot herself into the air, her emotions a mix of fear, happiness, and pride as she headed in the direction of her apartment.

Maggie pulled her car to a screeching halt, barely giving herself enough time to yank her keys out of the ignition before running for the barricades. Not slowing, she reached into her back pocket pulling out her identification and badge as she pushed through the crowd of worried families that were waiting for news on their loved ones. Luckily, she had enough sense to wear her NCPD windbreaker and the young officer standing guard didn't question her when she flashed her badge and slipped through the barrier.

With a halting step, she caught a glimpse of the large plane floating in the ocean. Helicopters swarmed it from above casting bright lights on the aircraft as rescue boats worked quickly, trying to get passengers off the plane and onto land where they could seek medical attention.

Passengers.

Alex.

Swallowing back her tears, Maggie turned, scanning the chaotic area and started walking in the direction of the large triage tent. As she got closer, she heard orders being shouted as people scrambled to prepare for more incoming victims. Spotting her Chief Officer, Maggie ducked her head making herself as inconspicuous as possible. Miranda Gale had been NCPD's Chief Officer for a little over a year now, and even though she ran the department with an iron fist, she was the best at what she did.

Maggie respected her, but she wasn't about to leave this tent until she knew her wife was safe.

With fleeting glances around the room, Maggie's heart started to race as she noticed the victims of the crash, the majority of them seemed to be okay even if they were wrapped in thermal blankets fighting off their inevitable shock. After a few minutes of searching, she caught a glimpse of her wife, she was sitting on the edge of one of the many medical tables, her head bent down as she leaned forward. Her hands pressed hard against her knees, shoulders tense. Maggie knew her better than anyone, and even though Alex was putting up a cold front around all the bustling strangers, Maggie knew that she was worried about their daughter.

"Alex?

The agent's head lifted at the sound of Maggie's voice, her smile small as she pushed herself to her feet. It only took a moment for Maggie to see the inch-long red gash that had a permanent spot near Alex's hairline. Alex screwed her eyes shut, her fingers lingering around the angry cut that blurred her vision and had her head pounding; she stumbled as her hand reached back to the table to steady herself.

"Okay, easy," Maggie breathed, placing a kiss on Alex's forehead before backing her up to the table, Alex still had her eyes squeezed shut as she fought off a wave of queasiness.

"Kara?"

"She's okay," Maggie reassured, helping Alex back onto the table, "Has someone seen this?"

Alex shook her head, squinting as she looked down at Maggie, "I need to go check on K-"

"No," Maggie said, interrupting Alex, "Listen, Lena sent me a text when she made it to the apartment, she's got her. Right now, we need to get this cut checked out."

"I'm fine," Alex gruffly replied, "Superficial head laceration and a conclusion."

Maggie sighed, "Self-diagnoses, don't count."

"Hey," Alex said, her lips quirking up in her attempt to joke, "I'm still a doctor."

"Mm, well, today you're not." Maggie captured Alex's lips in a quick kiss before murmuring, "I'll go get someone."

"Maggie, w- wait," Alex stuttered, grabbing Maggie's wrist before she could walk away, "Come see."

The detective tilted her head in question, Alex scanned over Maggie's features, her eyes landing on Maggie's lips as she pulled her closer to her.

Maggie now stood between her legs, quirking an eyebrow suggestively, Alex smirked in response.

"Careful, Danvers, we're not exactly in a private place."

An easy laugh fell from Alex's lips, "No one's paying any attention."

"Is that so?"

Alex made a show of looking around them before her eyes settled back on Maggie, "All clear."

The detective felt a laugh bubble up inside her at her wife's antics, god, she was so madly in love with this woman. She brushed stray hairs back behind Alex's ears, her fingers tracing her jawline.

"Beautiful," Maggie whispered, placing a feather light kiss on Alex's lips. Alex's hands found their way to Maggie's waist, pulling the detective to her, and deepening the kiss.

As always, it started off slow, building speed until it was nothing but fire and intensity. A lifeline that they both desperately needed for survival. Maggie draped her arms over Alex's shoulders her fingers interlacing with one another, as Alex's hand were splayed across her back, their bodies pressed close together.

They were utterly oblivious to the spared glances in their direction. And it wasn't until they heard a few people whistling and laughing that they finally broke apart, they're smiles wide as they tried to catch their breath.

"At least we know we still have it," Alex laughed, sighing as Maggie's forehead gently leaned against her own.

"I love you, Danvers."

"You too," Alex breathed, smiling, "forever."

Lena Luthor was comfortably nestled into the couch with a cup of tea and a book that she had meaning to finish for the last month. Her graduate program had been overly demanding lately, and despite all her hard efforts, Lena still felt like she was slowly falling behind the other students in her class. Her weeks consisted of classes, late nights, and as much caffeine Lena could stomach; it left her little room for sleep and fewer nights off.

She'd also been spending more and more of her spare time at Luthor Corp, her mother's subtle way of weaving her into the family business was working beautifully. The more Lena fought it, the easier it was for her mother to ensnare her with family obligations and fantasies for a better future. In the last year, she had started to meet with their shareholders, getting her face and name out there, she also attended several business meetings with her mother.

Lena was the official heir of the family business; her brother no longer in the picture. He had gone too far on his escapade to be like Superman, and in the end, it was his undoing. Lena never told him that Kara was not only Kryptonian but also the related to Metropolis' famous hero.

And she never planned to.

She didn't want him anywhere near her.

The TV played quietly in the background, in the last few months that she and Kara had lived together Lena had become very acquainted with Kara forgetting to turn it off. Most of the time she'd let it run, ignoring it and only ever turning it down when the volume got too loud.

Looking up from her book, the commentator's voice came into focus as she watched the footage of a plane floating in the ocean, "Passengers of flight 237 seem to have a guardian angel, when what many reports to be a female flying form rescued them from certain death."

Lena's heart clenched, unsteadiness overwhelming her. Kara's name was on her lips as she saw the female figure straightening up on the plane wing. Lena spun around when she heard a light tapping on the living room window. Her fears confirmed as she caught sight of a wet Kara hovering outside the window.

Lena ran over, gently prying open the old window panes, her eyes instinctually scanning over every inch of the Kryptonian. Kara looked to be fine other than being soaked to the bone.

"Your mothers' are going to kill you." Lena said, before gently grabbing Kara's wrist and pulling the stumbling hero into a hug, "Are you okay?"

Kara tightened her grip, shaking her head in the nook of Lena's neck.

After a few minutes, Lena pulled back enough so that she could see Kara's face, "You're all over the news."

"I am?" Kara said, surprised, even if her eyes brightened for a moment.

"Yeah," Lena scoffed, rolling her eyes as she tried to keep her voice light and playful even as it shook with nerves, "Most people aren't used to the idea of a woman flying around saving planes."

"I guess it would take a little getting used to," Kara laughed, her smile faltering as the memories of the night came back to her; a shiver ran through her body.

"We should get you into some warmer clothes."

"I almost lost her."

"Who?" Lena asked, her eyes searching Kara's, "Kara, please, just tell me what happened?"

"It was my mom'-Alex's plane," Kara whispered, waiting for Lena's reaction, "And I couldn't just sit there and do nothing so I... Rao, she really is going to kill me."

Lena chuckled, stepping back up to Kara her fingers lingering around Kara's elbows as the Kryptonian raked her fingers through her hair, "Listen to me, you saved her life, she can't be mad at you for that, and it was only a onetime thing."

Kara shifted on her feet, her eyes bouncing from Lena to the reporter on the TV screen, "What if I don't want it to be?"

"Kara…" Lena's voice rose in warning.

"I know, okay, I know. But tonight, I was able to help people and not just my mom. A whole flight of passengers needed me. And it felt good! If I could do that every day… why shouldn't I take that chance?"

Lena opened and closed her mouth a few times as she tried to figure out what to say. She had always supported Kara, always, and a part of her was happy for her. She would be able to live up to her potential and ever since they met, Lena had seen Kara's innate drive to help people, it was one of the things she loved most about her. But she also knew how dangerous this was.

There was a real chance that if Kara came out as a hero, she would not just be stopping crime but fighting real-life threats. Threats that could actually kill her. And Lena couldn't help but selfishly want Kara far, far away from that.

"I don't know," Lena said, sighing when she felt Kara tense under her touch, "I'm just- "

"You're worried," she said, it wasn't a question just a quiet observation.

"Of course I'm worried, Kara, you're my best friend!"

Lena's heart ached as her words rang through the apartment silencing both of them. Even after all these years she never had the guts to tell Kara how she truly felt. She was too afraid of Kara's rejection and more fearful that Kara wouldn't feel the same way.

So she kept her feelings quiet, tampering them until they all worked together to form the best friendship she could. She still loved Kara, and Kara loved her, just not in the way that she wanted.

They were a family; Kara, being one of the only people she could count on for anything. And as much as Lena wanted to tell Kara the truth, she couldn't risk losing that over something as flippant as unreciprocated feelings.

"Lena, I- "

"You should go take a shower," Lena murmured avoiding Kara's confused gaze, "I'll order us some food."

"Fine," Kara sighed, slightly frustrated at the lack of communication from Lena.

Lena didn't look up until she heard the shower turn on in the bathroom, leaning against the high wood counter, she ran a hand through her hair before she squeezed her eyes shut.

She was acting so stupid, pushing Kara away when she knew that Kara needed her support now more than ever. Lena felt unsteady, her relationship with Kara was still intact, but a small part of her felt like this was the first fracture of many. She wanted to protect Kara, and Kara wanted to protect the city, so who was Lena to try and stop her.

Exhaling, Lena pulled her phone out of her back pocket. She sent a quick text to Maggie and Alex saying that Kara was here and safe; that she had her. The response from Maggie was immediate, thanking her and saying that they would be there as soon as they can.

Lena's next call was the pizza parlor around the corner, telling them that she wanted their usual order.

All she could do now is wait.

Lena and Kara sat on the couch, Lena with her back leaning on the armrest legs drawn up, while Kara sat a little further away than usual, slightly turned so she could face the old black and white movie that was playing. Kara's focus was on the television, while Lena's was on Kara. She wanted to tell her that she didn't know why she was pushing her away, why she closed herself off so quickly after Kara announced that she wanted to do more with her life than just being an assistant.

The woman she loved wanted to protect their city, using her powers to do something good. She should be proud of that.

But that was the problem, wasn't it?

That she loved Kara, as more than just a friend. She loved the way she laughed, her eyes full of life as they crinkled in happiness; or how easily she trusted people. Lena envied the way Kara looked at the world; with optimism and hope. And she adored the way Kara would do simple things around the apartment, just because she knew it made Lena happy.

They were so comfortable around each other, and Lena never wanted that to change.

"Hey," Lena murmured, pushing Kara's knee with her foot, the blonde tilted her head to the side shifting her attention to Lena, "I'm sorry."

Kara furrowed her brow for a moment, before shaking her head, "You have nothing to apologize for -"

"I do," Lena interrupted, "Look, I won't lie, I- I think it's dangerous, but I know you, and I hate that you've had to hide such a huge part of yourself. You were right, this is your chance. And… I think you should take it."

"Really?" Kara asked, her voice lilting with hope.

"Yeah," Lena's smile grew with Kara's. The Kryptonian quickly reached forward, wrapping her arms around Lena.

"Thank you."

Lena was about to respond when a loud knock sounded on their door, Kara shifted, looking over Lena, as she narrowed her eyes seeing her mothers' standing outside.

"They're here."

Lena stood with Kara, murmuring that she would be in her room if she needed her. But Kara stopped her when she reached for Lena's hand, "Stay… please."

Lena looked at their clasped hands for a second before squeezing Kara's in assurance, "I'm here."

Kara's eyes met Lena's, a shaky breath falling from her lips as she turned to the door.

"Kara?" Alex called, "Come on, kid, open up."

Sparing a worried glance with Maggie, she raised her fist planning to knock again when Kara pulled the door open, her daughter's body colliding into her. Alex stumbled back a couple of steps, before catching her balance and wrapping her arms around Kara.

"Hey," Alex said, her voice soft and soothing, a hand cradling the back of Kara's head while the other trailed up and down Kara's back, "hey, I'm okay."

She pressed a kiss in Kara's hair, as a tremble rippled through her daughter.

"Mama."

It was barely above a whisper, but Alex closed her eyes when the sentiment reached her ears, "I'm here, I've got you, I've got you."

Alex felt Maggie placing her hand on the small of her back, "Come on, loves, inside."

"Your mom's right."

Kara nodded, pulling back she quickly swiped her thumb under her eyes wiping away her tears. Alex placed a hand between Kara's shoulder blades, gently pushing her into the apartment. Kara kept walking though, and a moment later Alex heard a door close.

Lena stood from her spot at the counter, "I should go check on her."

"Give her a few minutes, Lena," Maggie said, stopping the girl from going after her friend.

"But she- "

"I'll go," Alex said, ignoring Maggie's protest as she walked through the loft to Kara's room.

Placing a hand on the door frame, Alex leaned in as she listened. When she heard muffled movement coming from beyond the door, she lightly knocked.

"Kara?" Alex asked, "It's just me, kid."

A minute later, the door cracked open revealing a red-eyed, Kara. Alex gave her a lopsided smile, but the younger of the two kept her eyes on the ground.

"I was fine before you got here," Kara murmured.

Turning around, Kara pushed a wet strand of hair behind her ear before plopping down on the edge of her bed. Her hands were fiddling with Alura's necklace as she weaved it between her fingers.

Alex stayed silent, as she closed the door and sat down beside her daughter, "Thank you."

"I wasn't going to let anything happen to you."

"I know," Alex exhaled, putting an arm around Kara's shoulders as she scooted a little closer, "But we need to talk."

"Let me guess, you never want me to do anything like that ever again, right?"

Alex only hesitated for a moment, confirming her daughter's suspensions, "Yes."

"I can't do that."

"You have to; it's not safe -"

"It's never safe," Kara laughed, standing, "My entire life I've hidden who I am because you've told me to, and I'm just, so tired of hiding, Alex."

"I know it's hard, but we'll keep training at the warehouse and eventually…"

"What?" Kara asked, raising an eyebrow, "You think beating the shit out of cars is going to turn me off from wanting to help. Every day, you work for an agency that helps and protects aliens and humans alike, I don't understand why you're so afraid of letting me help! A lot has changed since I landed here."

"And a lot hasn't," Alex said, looking up at her daughter from her spot on the bed, "Look, I get it, and if being mad at me helps then so be it, but you are not allowed to expose yourself like that again. Am I understood?"

Kara scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest, "Perfectly."

Alex nodded, brushing her hands on her thighs before standing up. Alex hated shutting Kara down; she knew how much the blonde wanted this, but she had orders, and for once she actually agreed with them.

In the last year or so, the DEO had been capturing more and more of the Fort Rozz escapees; they were getting bolder, going after resources and wreaking havoc on the shadier parts of the city. Alex knew if they found out about her daughter, Alura's daughter, they would do anything to get revenge on the woman who imprisoned them.

So she lied, breaking her daughter's heart and hoping that Kara would listen to her and not try anything.

Alex placed a hand on Kara's forearm, squeezing in a silent command. The Kryptonian sighed, before leaning forward, allowing Alex to plant a kiss near her temple.

"I love you, kid."

"Love you, too," Kara responded, turning as Alex walked passed her to the door, the agent paused, looking back at her.

"I'm proud of you, Kara, you were a real hero tonight."

Alex glanced down at the necklace in Kara's hands, and with a sad smile, she left Kara alone with her thoughts.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I would love to hear what you thought, likes, dislikes, all of it!

I do not own Supergirl or any of the characters.